Minister for Transport,Abdul Gani Kohli directed the authorities of the Transport Department and its allied wings to work with synergy for making the department more vibrant and commercial. He also stressed upon the functionaries for imitating more innovative measures to streamline the traffic movement especially in twin cities of Srinagar and Jammu.This was stated by the Minister while chairing a high level officers’ meeting of Transport Department held on Thursday, convened to review the overall working of the Department and its allied wings besides traffic management system.The Minister said that traffic jamming has become a big problem in two capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar and underscored the need for making a fool proof plan to avoid this menace.
He stressed that the decisions taken often by the government for improvement of traffic movement and avoiding of the accidents on roads especially in hilly areas should be implemented letter and spirit and results of these should be visible on ground in appropriate time.Underlining the need for utilization of the assets of the Department, the Minister directed for bringing reforms in the Department by introducing modern passenger buses besides to build the commercial assets on Corporation land available in both the divisions of the State as well as outside the State.The Minister stressed upon the transport authorities to ensure hassle free public transport on every route in the state. Calling for strict enforcement of Motor Vehicle Act, he asked the concerned to deal strictly with those who violate the provisions of the Acts. He also instructed for not allowing the vehicles to ply without valid route permits besides keeping a check on overloading to avoid mishaps.
The meeting was informed that land has been identified by the Transport Department for construction of High Tech Driving Institute at Bantalab-Jammu and Khibmer-Srinagar, so that skill commercial vehicle drivers be imparted training to reduce the scale of road accidents.The Minister directed the concerned authorities to conduct Awareness Camps for Drivers and Conductors and general public to make aware them about the traffic rules and safety precautions.The meeting also discussed status of installation of High Security Registration Plates (HSRP) on vehicles. The meeting decided that no fitness certificate or any other transfer document of vehicle should not be issued till it is not fitted with the HSRP. Out of 13 lakh vehicles registered in the State only 4 lakh have been fitted with such plates, the meeting was informed.Other issues discussed in detail included new transport policy, measures put in place to check the menace of overloading/rash driving, inspection for checking fitness of vehicles and status of construction of RTO Offices in the State, Online services to the people, Weigh Bridges in various places and modernization of workshops.
The meeting also discussed administrative matters i. e filling of vacancies by SSRB and implementation of sound transfer policy.Among others, the meeting was attended by Secretary Transport, Syed Kifayat Rizvi, Transport Commissioner Parveez I Khateeb, Special Secretary Transport Itrat Hussain Rafiquee, Manging Director, JKSRTC, G. H. Sofi and Director State Motor Garages Zakir Hussain Choudhary and senior officers of allied departments were present in the meeting. (GNS)