*IDTR, ICC to be established in Jammu, Srinagar
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 24: Minister of State for Transport (Independent Charge) Sunil Kumar Sharma today said the department is in the process of formulating and executing various development strategies in the State including complete switchover of MVD to web-based software Vahan/Sarthi version 4.0, Road Accidents Data Management System (RADMS), establishment of Institute of Drivers Training and Research (IDTR) in Jammu and Srinagar, establishment of Inspection and Certification Center (ICC) to make the department self sustaining and commercially viable.
Winding up the discussion on Demand of Grants for Transport Department, the Minister said that legislators valuable inputs and suggestions will be instrumental in strengthening the department into a profitable and revenue generation asset for the State.
Enumerating on various developmental strategies launched by the department, the Minister said the department is completely switching over to Vahan/Sarthi version 4.0 which is an online web-based application.
“19 RTO/ARTO offices stand switched over to Vahan Version 4.0 while as 4 offices stand switched over to Sarthi version 4.0. DPR worth Rs 7.70 crore stands submitted to Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India for funding,” he added.
The Minister said this will provide multiple services to different users including e- payments, covering multiple gateways, e-auction for Choice Number selection, Digital Signatures and Biometric Authentication through Aadhar, besides Citizen Services like Application Status Tracking Online Application Submission & Processing, Online Services on Vehicle Related activities, Online issuance of Learner License/Driving Licenses/ New Permit/Renewal of Permit, Information Query, Fees Payment through Payment Gateway, Tax Payment through Payment Gateway, SMS based services at each level.
The Minister informed that two Institutes of Drivers Training and Research (IDTR), with one each in Jammu and Srinagar, will be established in the State for imparting training to the drivers and for updating their skills. He said Rs 17 crore have been provided for establishment of these institutes to be executed under PPP Model. He said the process for identification of land at both Srinagar and Jammu for establishment of IDTRs has been initiated.
Similarly, for establishment of Inspection and Certification Center (ICC) in Jammu and Srinagar, the process for identification of land is underway, he said.
The Minister further informed the house that the Government is contemplating to implement RADMS in the State for analysis of Road Accident Data and formulation of strategy to utilize the same for reducing the accidents besides improvement in the allied fields.
“The modalities and requirements of RADMS for replication of the system in Jammu and Kashmir are being worked out. It is expected that a financial involvement of Rs 260 lakh will be required for putting the system in the place for software, hardware and other things,” he added.
He said a reorganization proposal of Motor Vehicles Department in J&K has been prepared and the modalities are being worked out for making the functioning of the department more effective besides, the State Road Safety Policy has also been finalized and issued.
Sunil Sharma also said the department is now working out a long term enforcement policy by introducing technology for strict implementation of the Central Motor Vehicle Act 1988, J&K Motor Vehicle Vehicles Rules 1991 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules 1989, advanced equipments in public as well as private transport like CCTVs, speed cameras, anti smoking gadgets & GPS etc in order to check the menace of accidents on roads.
The Minister said that JKSRTC has been serving the people of the State and has also been successfully performing its duties in providing un-interrupted service during difficult times. It also worked at providing essential commodities to every nook and corner of the State during 2014 floods in the valley as well as during the recent turmoil in the valley.
Later, the House passed the grants of Transport for the year 2017-18 moved by the Minister, amounting to Rs 9610.50 lakh with voice vote.
Earlier, initiating the discussion, R S Pathania called for proper implementation of Road Safety Action Plan to minimize accidents and for improving the overall infrastructure of the department.
Usman Abdul Majid said that during the unrest in Kashmir transporters were worst hit and demanded compensation for their rehabilitation.
Raja Manzoor Ahmad complemented the department for various initiatives. He demanded SRTC bus services from Karnah to Keran, Srinagar to Tangdhar, Srinagar to Kupwara and various other remote areas of the Valley.
Main Altaf Ahmad said there was a need for taking innovative steps to improve the infrastructure of the department to gain the trust of the people. He called for steps for reducing the accident rate and tackling traffic mess in cities. He also demanded improvement of SRTC Bus Services to Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Ladakh for the convenience of public and especially tourists and Yatris.
Bashir Ahamd Dar regretted that the department has been ignored by every Government and there is need for taking various innovative steps for improving the overall infrastructure of the department.
Neelam Kumar Langeh pitched for separate budget for the Transport Department. He called for proper maintenance of vehicles provided by Motor Garage Department to the Legislators.
Choudhary Qamar Hussain demanded SRTC bus service for Kishtwar-Sigdi Bhata, Kishtwar-Kuchaee Scmbol, Kishtwar-Keshwan, Doda-Tanta etc. He said that Road Authority should be made accountable and there should be same parameter for Rajouri as being implemented in other districts.
Javid Ahmad Rana called for proper training of drivers, adding that most of the accidents take place due to their negligence.
Jeevan Lal said that there was a need for regular checking of licence of public transport drivers, rout permits, insurance and over loading on various routs to avoid increasing road mishaps in his constituency.
Abdul Rahim Rather called for removal of old vehicles and implementation of Metro Transport for improving the transport services in the State.
Anjum Fazili demanded for a provision of separate budget for Transport Department. She called for proper implementation of Road Safety Action Plan in the State.
Mohammad Akbar Loan demanded operation of SRTC bus service from Sumbal to Bandipor and Safapora to Sopore.
Noor Muhammad Sheikh said that Government should lay special focus on loss of transporters during unrest. He said also demanded installation of more traffic lights across Srinagar city.
Ishfaq Jabbar said that State Road Transportation (SRTC) is facing official neglect and Government should take measures to revive this department with new and reformative measures.
Rajiv Jasrotia said that Government should refurbish a new idea of launching driving institutes. Terming Kathua as gateway to Jammu and Kashmir, he called upon Transport Department to launch new schemes to make this district attractive for the tourists coming to the state.
Aijaz Ahmad Mir pleaded for strengthening public transport and making SRTC profitable.
Pawan Kumar Gupta said that Government should revive SRTC and strengthen the corporation at all levels.
Abdul Majeed Larmi called for providing single-window services by the Transport Department and also makes sure that people get better services. He said that Government should bring transparency with result oriented goals.
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