Scientific measures introduced to ensure safety on roads: Sunil

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 20: Minister for Transport, Sunil Kumar Sharma today said that rational and scientific measures are being introduced to ensure safety on roads besides regulating traffic movement.
For this, the Government is working to introduce Road Accident Data Management System (RADMS) in the State which will enable Motor Vehicles Department to take rational/scientific data based decisions to ensure safety on roads.
The Minister said this while replying to the Demand for Grants of Transport Department in the Legislative Assembly. “In this digital day and age, timely and necessary technological updations need to be introduced so that the department can fulfill its basic mandate of providing better transportation facilities to the people with effective safety measures”, the Minister said.
The Minister said the department has initiated implementation of multiple measures in addition to RADMS including switch over to Web Based Online Services (VAHAN/SARTHI 4.0), replacement of paper based documents with plastic/smart cards-in offing, digitalization of all departmental records, introduction of Digilocker Service among others.
Besides, an app ‘Ride Safe’ is being developed for citizens to report instances of irresponsible driving with geo-intelligence for intervention and action by filed officials, he added.
“High Security Registration Plate (HSRP) is being implemented in the State and presently about 46% of vehicles have been affixed with the HSRP”, he said adding that the process of HSRP fixation has been modified enabling 100% compliance by new vehicle owners.
“State Road Safety Policy is under implementation with an aim to reduce the fatalities and accidents by 50% by 2020 and instructions have been issued for preparation of District Road Safety Plan (2017-2020)”, he said.
With regard to the relief measures for the transporters, the Minister said the department has also given respite to them by introducing measures like- relief of 50% on various types of the fees imposed by MoRTH, GoI, besides Payments of Token Tax and Passenger Tax for the period of 6 months of unrest in the State have been exempted.
Passengers fare has been revised and fee/penalties recently enhanced by the Central Government are being reduced providing relief to the transporters, he added.
He informed that Road Safety Council Bill is being introduced to create a Road Safety Fund for identifying and removing the Black Spots on roads to ensure safe journey.
Spelling out the new initiatives to be taken for departmental infrastructure development, he informed that 102 vehicles will be purchased, fleet of State Motor Garages to be augmented by adding 156 vehicles, creation of staff for the newly created 8 districts for and procurement of more automobile equipment for various workshops.
Regarding functioning of JKSRTC, the Minister said that it is putting in concerted efforts to make the transport system advantageous and convenient to the public, tourism, trade and industry and various other agencies.
Under Smart Cities Scheme, procurement of 140 electric buses along with 08 charging stations have been proposed for both capital cities, he said adding that under FAME INDIA scheme, 15 buses have been sanctioned and under JKIDP,  procurement of 40 electric buses & 20 electric rickshaws have been proposed.
“The Corporation is also exploring possibilities for up-gradation of transportation on modern pattern (Luxury Coaches) through PPP Mode”, he informed.
Later, the House passed grants with a voice vote.
Earlier, initiating the discussion, Syed Farooq Ahmad Andrabi projected the problems faced by the transporters in his constituency in absence of   identified stand for them. He sought tax collection centre at Anantnag to save time of transporters who have to travel to Srinagar to deposit the same.
Mubarak Gul underscored the need for taking necessary steps for minimizing road accidents by intensifying drive against over loading,   violation of traffic safety rules, closing down wine shops on National Highways during night hours, strict action against violators and streamlining traffic regulation mechanism.
Vikar Rasool Wani called for augmentation of public transport in rural areas. He said that much improvement has been witnessed in road connectivity but a lot needs to be done to improve   connectivity in hilly areas. He suggested underground parking lots in Jammu city especially in old city areas including Residency Road, Talab Khatikan.
Syed Mohammad Baqir Rizvi  demanded more modern coaches on uncovered routes including Sanku-Panikhar in his constituency. He also demanded opening of Petrol Pump and construction of Bus Adda in his constituency.
Rajeev Jasrotia appreciated the efforts of the Government to overhaul the Road Transport Department by taking new initiatives to improve road transport facilities for the comfort of the passengers.  He also urged the Government to take initiatives to decongest the traffic in major cities and towns including Kathua, Ushamour, Poonch, Rajouri etc.
Abdul Rahim Rather  called for providing road connectivity to far off areas of Chenab Valley round the year. He also urged the Government for conducting refresher training courses for commercial drivers.
Dalden Namgyal urged the Government to provide ambulance at Khardungla- the world’s highest altitude tourist spot. He asked the Government for making further improvement in the functioning of the transport department.
Shamim Firdous suggested for introducing Double Decor Buses of JKSRTC on more roads in view of their success on the Nishat Shalimar road.    She urged the Government for plying more   JKSRTC buses on routes of old city areas of Srinagar.
Krishen Lal  appealed the Government to introduce new fleet of modern comfortable and increase services on busy routes for the convenience of commuters.
Bashir Ahmad Dar hailed the Government for improvement in the functioning of the Transport Department. He however, asked the Transport Minister to strive for more improvement.
Choudhary Mohammad Akram stressed on the need for organizing awareness camps to educate masses about the traffic rules. He demanded for plying of JKSRTC Bus services on the routes of his Constituency.
Mohammad Akbar Lone raised the issue of, what he said appointment of Non-State Subject in the Transport Department and demanded thorough inquiry into the matter. He also asked the Government to issue appointment orders of Junior Assistants selected for the Transport Department.
Pawan Kumar Gupta expressed concern over, what he said recurring losses incurred by Transport Department due to certain reasons. He also opposed appointment of Chairmen, Vice Chairmen of Corporations as these have put burden on public ex-chequer.
Asgar Ali Karbalie demanded reployment of more JKSRTC buses on Batalic, Kargil Zanskar and other areas. He also pleaded for plying of JKSRTC Bus for students of Kargil district from Kargil to Jammu and vice versa.
Altaf Ahmad Wani urged the Government for introducing and promotion of water transport in the State.    Sheikh Ishfaq Jabar called for promotion of water transport and developing of sufficient parking slots in the State.
Raja Manzoor Ahmad appreciated the Government for taking various initiatives for the improvement of the working of the Transport Department. He demanded JKSRTC buses on various routes of his constituency. He also called   for regularization of adhoc, contractual and other employees working in the department at an earliest.

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