Minister for Transport Abdul Gani Kholi has asked the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and Border Roads Organization (BRO) to speed up pace of work on upgradation and maintenance of Srinagar-Jammu national highway.The Minister was addressing a meeting convened here today to review the working of Transport Department with special focus on traffic management and parking facility in Srinagar city, status and present position of Srinagar-Jammu national highway besides reviewing the Action Taken Report on the recommendations made in the previous meetings in this regard.
The Minister stressed the need for immediate improvement of highway at highly fragile and dangerous zones including Khari, Peeda, Magarkot and Nashri tunnel area. He asked NHAI and BRO authorities to ensure completion of renovation works within stipulated timeframe in view of the tourist season and ensuing Shri Amarnath Yatra.The Minister also directed the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and Srinagar Development Authority (SDA) to activate their Enforcement Wings and ensure immediate removal of encroachments. He said the spaces wherefrom encroachments are removed should be immediately made traffic worthy and if possible parking lots should be created there.Expressing concern over non-availability of parking slots at malls, the Minister directed the concerned to ensure that every mall and market should have their own parking slots. He asked them to pursue the court cases especially in Central business areas vigorously and submit the report to the Administrative Department in this regard.Threadbare discussions were held on installation of weigh bridges, GPS system, vehicle fitness, revenue realization and route permits.
Detailed discussion was also held on online facility for renewal of driving licenses and registration of vehicles. The Minister directed the concerned to ensure online facility in all ARTOs and RTO offices. It was given out that the online system will be launched in four offices soon.The Minister directed the concerned to come up with a proposal with regard to installation of software and other requirements for the purpose.The Minister also directed the concerned to submit a proposal with regard to requirement of additional staff in RTO offices and at Lakhanpur Toll Plaza so that the same could be arranged from the sister wings of the Transport Department.While reviewing and discussing the revenue realization, the Minister asked the concerned to achieve the targets in full.The meeting was attended by IGP Traffic, Mr. J.P. Singh, Secretary Transport Department, Mr. Baseer Ahmad Khan, Transport Commissioner Mr. Parvaiz Khatib, Managing Director JKSRTC Mr. J.S. Tandon, Chief Engineer Mechanical, SSP Srinagar, senior officers of SMC, SDA, R&B, NHAI, BRO and Transport Department.