Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Nov 21: Justice Ali Muhammad Magray today said that the administrators of the healthcare institutions across Kashmir must ensure that the symbols used by the doctors on their vehicles are not misused by the rest of their hospital staff.
Justice Magray said that during various drives carried out with the help of the district administration and the Traffic Department on the roads, it has come to the fore that the paramedics along with others are affixing the symbols that are to be used by the doctors only.
“I have seen many such instances, where the vehicles with doctors’ symbol were being driven by the paramedics, nursing orderlies, pharmacists or any other member of the hospital staff, apart from doctors; this is something that has to be taken care of; almost everyone has a car now, but such symbols should not be misused,” he said.
Justice Magray was speaking during a workshop that was organized by the District Administration, Srinagar regarding traffic awareness under Srinagar Smart City Ltd at SKICC.
He, on the spot, asked Director SKIMS, Soura Dr AG Ahanger, Principal SKIMS, Bemina Dr Riyaz Untoo and Director Health Services, Kashmir Dr Samir Mattoo-who were present on the occasion-to ensure that steps are taken in this direction.
While the aim of the workshop was to aware the major stakeholders regarding several aspects of the traffic in the Srinagar city, the event was attended by the Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary and all the Heads of the Departments.
Dr Shahid Iqbal Chowdhary said that Srinagar Smart City Ltd is actively working on road development, intelligent traffic management system, pedestrian pathways, signage and lighting among other components aimed at better traffic management.
“Today’s workshop was aimed at bringing all stakeholders on one platform for collective action. Apart from all departments related to development and enforcement viz a viz traffic management, various stakeholders like transport unions, trade organisations, universities, colleges, schools, NGOs were also associated for effective public engagement to ensure improved vehicular behaviour alongside infrastructure development,” he said.
Justice Magray said that there is a mafia that has surrounded the transport sector and that there is a need of steps to be taken to move ahead with the project of turning Srinagar city into a smart one.
He said that all kinds of vehicles are plying on the roads without any hindrances. “The vehicles that should have been discarded are plying on roads and are leading to pollution,” he said.
He stressed on the need of awareness in this regard and impressed on all the stakeholders to start such initiatives on their levels.
“We see 100 per cent violations concerning the use of seatbelts and having a crash helmet on, these issues can only be addressed through a proper,” he said.
While few officials from the Traffic Department raised the issue of the lack of manpower and machinery to effectively deal with the traffic mess and other related issues in the city, Justice Magray said that while these are genuine issues, “but it should not be a limiting factor.”
He, however, acknowledged the issue raised by the officials from the Traffic Department on the occasion that the lack of designated parking in the Srinagar city was an issue that needs to be addressed.
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