Advisors to governor as well as the chief secretary Monday directed the departments and agencies concerned to redouble their efforts to ensure that Srinagar-Jammu highway remains open during winter in view of its socio-economic importance, even as they asserted that 10 new trauma centres and 100 ambulances will be operationalised soon to handle emergencies.
An official spokesman said that on the directions of Governor Satya Pal Malik, advisors K Vijay Kumar, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai and chief secretary B V R Subrahmanyam held extensive deliberations with concerned officers in the state administration—besides representatives of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and various construction companies—to review the status of Srinagar-Jammu highway, movement of traffic in the wake of frequent road accidents and blockades and also keeping in view the current fruit season, winter supplies and movement of general public during the ensuing Durbar move.
“The deliberations primarily focused on identifying causes/core areas leading to prolonged traffic congestion along the Srinagar-Jammu highway, in particular between the Banihal-Ramban-Udhampur stretches and evolving a composite action plan to not only ensure hassle-free traffic flow but also secure optimum coordination and synergy among various departments/construction agencies to respond on a real time basis in the event of breakdown of vehicles, landslides and accidents,” the spokesman said.
The advisors and chief secretary emphasised that given the socio-economic importance of the Srinagar-Jammu highway vis-à-vis fruit-laden trucks, winter supplies to Kashmir Valley besides meeting the logistic requirements of security forces, police and general public, all concerned departments and agencies should redouble their efforts to ensure that it remains open for smooth flow of traffic.
The primary causes of traffic congestion were identified and a composite action plan finalised for implementation by the concerned departments and agencies, the spokesman said.
He said that to prevent congestion arising out of vehicle breakdown, inspector general of traffic police will prepare a traffic management plan with adequate recovery vehicles positioned at frequent intervals with adequate connectivity.
“As far as landslides are concerned, the IG Traffic, J&K will ensure that landslide clearing teams are placed at pre-identified location prone to frequent landslides. Additional equipment will be provided to IG Traffic, J&K for this purpose,” the spokesman said.
In order to manage traffic congestion, holding areas will be identified on Kashmir and Jammu sides so that vehicles are held there rather than on the road itself, the spokesman said.
“On the health front, 10 new trauma centre and 100 ambulances will be operationalized at the earliest to handle emergency. To improve the quality of the vehicles on the road, police and transport department will ensure enforcement of all Motor Vehicle Rules to check offenses and also ensure fitness of vehicles. All police stations on the highway will be accountable for this and CCTV cameras will be installed for this purpose,” the spokesman said.
Divisional commissioner Jammu and divisional commissioner Kashmir were directed to launch a special drive for removal of encroachments while exploring suitable options for creating way side amenities along the highway for convenience of the commuters.
Divisional commissioner Kashmir was also asked to hold a meeting with chief engineer R&B Kashmir to address issues on 5-6 km stretch of Mughal road so that traffic can move on it without any encumbrances and for its use as an alternate road to the Srinagar-Jammu highway, the spokesman said.
Director general of police, J&K; principal secretary, Health & Medical Education Department, joint director IB, Srinagar, ADGP, CID, J&K; principal secretary, Transport Department, GoC 15 Corps, divisional commissioner, Kashmir, IG (Ops), CRPF, IGP, Kashmir Zone, IGP Traffic, J&K, Regional Officer, NHAI, representatives of construction companies and other senior officers participated in the meeting.