Shadow Correspondent
Kupwara, SEPT 15:
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara, Shrikant Suse, today chaired a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) at the Mini Meeting Hall of the DC Office to assess the implementation of road safety measures and review traffic management arrangements across the district.
The meeting held detailed deliberations on strengthening road safety mechanisms, improving traffic regulation and ensuring strict compliance with traffic rules to minimize road accidents and safeguard the lives of commuters, pedestrians and other road users.
The Deputy Commissioner directed all enforcement agencies to intensify field-level inspections and take firm action against traffic violations. Particular emphasis was laid on curbing underage and teenage driving, overloading, overspeeding and other unsafe driving practices. The Traffic Police were asked to conduct frequent surprise checks and strengthen enforcement at vulnerable locations, busy market areas and major traffic junctions.
The DC further directed the concerned agencies to ensure effective traffic regulation during peak hours and at locations witnessing frequent congestion.
Municipal Councils, in coordination with the Revenue Department and other concerned agencies, were instructed to undertake regular anti-encroachment drives to clear road corridors and public spaces obstructed by unauthorized structures or activities, thereby facilitating smoother movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
Emphasizing the importance of preventive measures, the Deputy Commissioner called for an extensive road-safety awareness campaign across schools and colleges. He directed the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO), Traffic Police and Chief Education Officer to jointly organize awareness programmes focusing on students and youth, besides sensitizing commercial drivers about responsible driving, traffic discipline and the consequences of violating road safety norms.
The meeting also reviewed the status of school bus safety audits and inspections of driving schools being conducted by the ARTO. The Committee discussed measures to ensure that school buses strictly adhere to prescribed safety standards and that driving schools maintain the required infrastructure, documentation and regulatory compliance.
Detailed attention was also given to road safety audits and the identification of vulnerable stretches, particularly along hilly roads and highways. The concerned executing agencies, including PWD, PMGSY and BEACON, were directed to conduct regular safety assessments and undertake necessary corrective measures on identified stretches.
The meeting further reviewed the identification and rectification of accident-prone locations and black spots, improvement of sharp curves, timely maintenance and repair of roads, installation and maintenance of appropriate road signage, particularly at blind curves, and other engineering interventions required to enhance road safety.
The Deputy Commissioner stressed that road safety requires a coordinated approach involving enforcement, engineering, education and emergency response. He directed all concerned departments to work in close coordination and ensure timely implementation of the decisions taken during the meeting.
The DC also emphasized the need for continuous monitoring of road conditions and traffic arrangements, particularly in vulnerable and accident-prone areas, and called upon all stakeholders to adopt a proactive approach towards preventing road accidents and creating a safer road environment across Kupwara district.
The meeting concluded with directions to the concerned departments and agencies to regularly review the progress of road safety initiatives and ensure strict adherence to prescribed safety standards and traffic regulations.
SSP Kupwara, SSP Handwara, SE R&B, ACR, ACD, CMO, OC BEACON, DIO, ARTO, Executive Engineers (PWD) and other concerned officials attended the meeting.
