Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 7: A total 57 persons were killed and 54 others injured in road accidents on the Jammu-Poonch highway during 2017.
Replying to the Calling Attention Notice of PDP member Surinder Choudhary in the Upper House today, Minister for Revenue, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri said that 73 accidents took place on this highway during last year.
Veeri said the Transport Department has taken several initiatives and efforts are afoot to minimise road accidents and resultant casualties on National Highways.
“Special drives are being launched by Traffic Police Department against visible offences, like dangerous driving, use of mobile phones while driving, triple-riding, riding without crash helmet, overloading, overtaking, driving without seat belt,” said Veeri.
Surprise checks are being carried out by Traffic Police officers. All DySPs, DTIs, SOs and other field staff have been directed to ensure effectiveness in curbing the menace of traffic violations.
“Strict mechanism has been taken up for the issuance of licences. Widening and repairing of roads with further laying of parapets are being done and crash barriers on hilly roads are being established to provide safety on roads,” he said, adding that the department was conducting road shows, rallies, seminars and other programmes to spread mass awareness.
The minister further informed the House that the State Traffic Police has challaned 16,282 persons for violations for various traffic related offences and a fine of Rs 21.36 lakh has been realised in district Poonch during 2017.
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