Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 17: Minister for Transport and CA&PD, Qamar Ali Akhoon inaugurated a photo exhibition organized by Bhumash Sharma on the eve of “Remembrance day for road accident victims” being held on 3rd Sunday of every November globally.
Minister for Medical Education, RS Chib, I G Jammu, Dilbag Singh, Director Tribal Affairs, DIG Traffic Shakeel Ahmad Baig besides senior and prominent citizen were present on the occasion.
Under lining need for launching a massive awareness campaign across the State, Mr Akhoon said that 90 percent incidents are happening due to human error and negligence of drivers. He said RTOs have been asked to organize awareness camps on district level also to sensitize maximum persons about the ill effects of road accidents.
Appreciating the efforts of the organizer, the Minister said that the graph of traffic accidents is swelling in the country and need of the hour is to sensitize drivers to make them responsible drivers.
The Minister said that implementation of City Mobilization Plan is in active consideration of the Government and has been sent to the Chief Minister for recommendation. He said once the plan is implemented the graph of road accidents could be brought down considerably.
Mr. Akhoon said that Centre has agreed to fund two projects of establishing high tech driving institutions in Jammu and Srinagar cities and the Divisional Commissioners of both the divisions have been asked to identify the land for the purpose while in Jammu a piece of 100 kanal of land has been identified.
Mr. Chib, while speaking on the occasion, said that efforts made by the organizers are quite laudable. He said need of the hour is to initiate measures to contain such accidents.
He said overloading and rash driving are two major factors responsible for the road accidents. Describing the pictures displayed in exhibition painful, the Minister said it is the reality. He said the suggestions given by experts are need to be taken serious in view of their relevance with the subject.
Dilbagh Singh and Shakeel Baig also spoke on the occasion and gave detailed account of the traffic managements besides putting forth valuable suggestions for consideration.
Seeking support of the Government for implementation of suggestions like increase of quantum of fine, introduction of punching system of licenses, introduction of traffic rules as a subject at primary level, both the officers said this would go a long way in improving the traffic system and containing the traffic accidents to a great extent.