*Action plan evolved for smooth movement of traffic
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 15: On the directions of Governor, Advisors K Vijay Kumar, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam today held extensive deliberations with the concerned officers in the State administration besides representatives of NHAI and various construction companies to review the status of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, movement of traffic in the wake of frequent road accidents and blockades on its various stretches and also keeping in view the current fruit season, winter supplies and movement of general public during the ensuing durbar move.
The deliberations during the meeting primarily focused on identifying the causes/core areas leading to prolonged traffic congestion along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway in particular between the Banihal-Ramban-Udhampur stretches and evolving a composite action plan to not only ensure hassle free traffic flow along the National Highway but also to secure optimum coordination and synergy among various departments/construction agencies to respond on a real time basis in the event of breakdown of vehicles, landslides and accidents.
Advisors and Chief Secretary emphasized that given the socio-economic importance of the National Highway in the movement of fruit laden trucks, winter supplies to Kashmir Valley besides meeting the logistic requirements of security forces, police and general public, all concerned departments/agencies should redouble their efforts to ensure that it remains open for smooth flow of traffic.
The primary causes of traffic congestion were identified during the meeting and a composite action plan finalized for implementation by the concerned departments/agencies.
It was decided in the meeting that steps would be taken immediately to resolve all traffic related issues of the NH to prevent congestion on the road and inconvenience to travelers in future.
In order to prevent congestion arising out of vehicle breakdown, IG Traffic will prepare a traffic management plan with adequate recovery vehicles positioned at frequent intervals with adequate connectivity. As far as landslides are concerned, the IG Traffic will ensure that landslide clearing teams are placed at pre-identified location prone to frequent landslides. Additional equipment will be provided to IG Traffic, J&K for this purpose.
In order to manage traffic congestion, holding areas will be identified on the Kashmir and Jammu sides so that vehicles are held their rather than on the road itself.
On the health front, 10 new trauma centre and 100 ambulances will be operationalized at the earliest to handle emergency. To improve the quality of the vehicles on the road, police and transport department will ensure enforcement of all Motor Vehicle Rules to check offenses and also ensure fitness of vehicles. All police stations on the highway will be accountable for this and CCTV arrangements will be installed for this purpose.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
