In a bid to enforce austerity, the Jammu and Kashmir government has established a control system to monitor the movement of official vehicles through Global Positioning System (GPS).The facility was today kick started by Principal Secretary Transport Department Dr Asghar Hasan Samoon after inaugurating a fully functional traffic control unit here at State Motor Garages (SMG) Department. Director State Motor Garages Zakir Hussain Choudhary, Deputy Director SMG Jammu Syed Muarif Andrabi, Deputy Director SMG Srinagar Tahir Gani and other officials of R&B and SMG department were also present on the occasion. The traffic control unit constructed at a cost of Rs 48.39 lakh will remain function round the clock for providing transport to the government functionaries and other law enforcement agencies.Dr Samoon said that the movement of vehicles will be monitored through the Traffic Control unit to find their exact location.
Asking the State Motor Garages department to upgrade infrastructure and services in tune with the changing times, Dr Samoon said that the new facility will house surveillance, GPS system and other emerging technologies in near future.The facility will also help the department in keeping a tab and maintain the record of the movement of its fleet including the vehicles attached to different departments and constitutional authorities.Dr Samoon asked the SMG department to revamp and expand operations for the growth of the department. He also stressed on drivers to strictly follow traffic rules and safety norms and maintain discipline in the use of the existing fleet.Dr Samoon also announced exemption of toll fee for SMG vehicles at toll plazas operating at different places in the state. Later, Dr Samoon inspected the facilities and wings of the department including workshop. He directed for upgrading and equipping the workshop with modern equipments.State Motor Garages Drivers and workers union also projected their demands to Principal Secretary who assured to look into and resolve the genuine issues.