Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, June 5: The District Road Safety Committee, Udhampur, met here today under the chairmanship of District Development Commissioner, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary and reviewed the measures in place for making travelling on the district roads safe and secure.
The committee reviewed the prevailing scenario of road safety, commuters’ welfare, developmental issues, and the steps being taken to create awareness among masses to eliminate road accidents and promote safe driving.
The meeting took a detailed review of the implementation of decisions taken in the previous meeting and also took further decisions towards achieving the goal of safe and secure roads. The committee approved a calendar of activities to be taken up by ARTO and CEO for creating awareness about road safety in the district. The meeting decided to shift ARTO office from Shiva Nagar to new location in Jakheni to decongest the road in main city. The CMO informed that 47 ambulances remain in readiness for responding to any emergency for which DDC directed to notify the contact numbers for different areas for information of general public.
The DDC directed PWD, BRO, PMGSY, municipality and other departments to identify the encroachments along roads for their immediate eviction. He said encroachments along the roads are one of the major reasons for road accidents. He asked PWD for furnishing estimates for up-gradation of critical accident prone roads so that funds are demanded from Government.
Expressing concern over rising number accidents in the district, the DDC directed all the departments to remain vigilant and take action against traffic violations.
BRO, NHAI and PWD were directed to resurface and improve the city roads as well as National Highway. It was decided to carry out extensive drive against violation of traffic rules.
The meeting also decided to issue around 300 route permits in upcoming RTA meeting to meet the shortage of transport service in remote areas.
The DDC directed for additional buses to meet the shortage of transport services in remote areas of Latti, Dudu, Basantgarh, Ramnagar and Sudhmahadev.
The SSP Udhampur Suleman Choudhary, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Arun Sharma, Medical Superintendent District Hospital, Dr. Chander Parkash, District Information Officer, Dr. Ashwani Hansa, ARTO, Romesh Kumar, Executive Engineer R&B, R K Gupta representatives of BRO, NGOs and officers of various departments attended the meeting.