Several members today took part in the Discussion on Demand of Grants for Transport Department in Legislative Assembly and projected requirements for further strengthening of transport sector in the state.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. He suggested government to work in tandem with SRTC and Department of Tourism to ferry passengers from Srinagar to the tourist destinations. He called for widening JKSRTC service by introducing buses on more routes to ease hardships of commuters and improve its turnover.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. He suggested making JKSRTC the nodal agency to for providing carriages in different departments like SICOP, handloom, tourism and other related departments.
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 asked the government to prepare a comprehensive mobilization plan to decongest traffic on different roads.He suggested for construction of underground parking lots in Jammu city especially in old city areas including Residency Road, Talab Khatikan etc to minimize the traffic jams. He also pleaded for early implementation of Smart City project in capital cities with special focus on effective traffic management. He demanded for adding modern buses to JKSRTC fleet. Syed Mohammad Baqir Rizvi congratulated the Minister of State for Transport for bringing effective reforms in transport sector. He demanded for plying 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 appreciated introduction of online services for issuance of driving licence and said that it has reduced the difficulties of the people.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 congratulated the Minister for Transport and his team for making improvement in the functioning of the Transport Department. He called for providing road connectivity to far off areas of Chenab Valley round the year. He hailed the government for setting up Institute of Training and Research for Drivers in Jammu and demanded for establishment of similar Institute in Kashmir Valley. He also urged the government for conducting refresher training courses for commercial drivers. He demanded railways for tourist destinations like Phalgam, Kokernag, Verinag and Mughal Gardens. He asked the government to make mobile towers functional in his Constituency. 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. He also demanded for improvement and up-grading of Bus Adda in his Constituency.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. She called for easing the process for providing Permits for Auto Rikshaws to facilitate educated unemployed youth.
Krishen Lal hailed the government for taking initiatives to improve the road transport system in the state. He appealed the government to introduce new fleet of modern comfortable, and increase services on busy routes for the convenience of commuters.He also hailed the government for easing the process for getting driving licence and over all streamlining of the functioning of the department. Bashir Ahmad Dar hailed the government for improving in the functioning of the Transport Department and said that the credit goes to the concerned Minister and his staff. 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. He called for outsourcing of state motor garages.
Asgar Ali Karbalie demanded for deploying 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 hailed the government for e-lining of the transport records to ensure transparency in the system. He urged the government for introducing and promotion of water transport in the State. He suggested for developing Bus Addas and other infrastructure, plying of JKSRTC buses on Phalgam to Srinagar, Aishmuqam to Srinagar, Kullar to Srinagar and Hapatnard to Srinagar routes. He sought for keeping a provision of vehicles for the legislators during their tour to outside the State.Sheikh Ishfaq Jabar called for promotion of water transport and developing of sufficient Parking slots in the state. He asked the government to strive for achieving full targets to minimize the losses of JKSRTC. He demanded speedy development of Transport Depot at Ganderbal for which land has been already identified regularization of adhoc, contractual in technical and non-technical workers in the Transport Department and withdrawal of carriage services from SRTC by CAPD and other departments.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.