IDPS Srinagar awareness event:  DIG Traffic Kashmir, SSP Traffic City stress urgent need for safer school transport system

• Safer roads and better traffic management begin with public cooperation, awareness and civic responsibility: DIG Traffic Kashmir Haseeb-ur-Rehman
• One accident can leave families in lifelong trauma: SSP Traffic Srinagar
• Safe transport, secure tomorrow is not just a theme, it is a social responsibility: Chairman Showkat Chowdhary
• Schools, parents & authorities must work together to ensure children’s safe transportation: CCIK President Tariq Ghani

SRINAGAR: In a significant initiative aimed at strengthening awareness regarding children’s safety during daily commuting, International Delhi Public School Zakura, Srinagar organised a programme on School Transport Safety under the theme of “Safe Transport, Secure Tomorrow.” The event witnessed the participation of senior traffic officials, educationists, business leaders, media and students, all united in emphasizing the urgent need for safer and more disciplined school transportation systems across Kashmir.

The programme was attended by DIG Traffic Kashmir Haseeb-ur-Rehman as the Chief Guest, while SSP Traffic City Srinagar Aijaz Ahmad Bhat attended as Guest of Honour. Among other prominent dignitaries present on the occasion were CCIK President Tariq Ghani, Chairman Chowdhary Group Showkat Chowdhary, JKHARA President Babar Chowdhary, noted journalist Emaad Makhdoomi and several distinguished guests.

On the occasion, DIG Traffic Kashmir formally inaugurated the school transport facility established within the school campus, marking an important step towards ensuring regulated, monitored and secure transportation arrangements for students. Delivering a detailed and insightful address, DIG Traffic Kashmir Haseeb-ur-Rehman speak extensively about the evolving challenges of traffic management, road safety and the need for self-discipline within society.

He shared his long association with the institution and appreciated the remarkable progress and infrastructure development achieved by the school over the years. Reflecting on his earlier tenure as SSP Traffic from 2011 to 2015, he recalled the immense challenges faced during large-scale infrastructure development and flyover construction projects in Srinagar.

The DIG said traffic management is often a “thankless job” where authorities continue to face criticism despite extensive efforts. However, he expressed satisfaction that recent positive changes in traffic management are now being acknowledged by the public and media. He credited SSP Traffic Srinagar Aijaz Ahmad Bhat for introducing effective reforms and bringing a visible positive transformation in traffic regulation and enforcement across the city.

Highlighting future plans, the DIG revealed that the government is actively working on comprehensive traffic reforms through a high-level multidisciplinary committee headed by the Chief Secretary. He said the committee is focusing on intelligent traffic management systems, intelligent traffic lights, correction of engineering defects, road infrastructure improvement and modern traffic solutions for both urban and rural areas.

Addressing students directly, he urged them to become ambassadors of traffic awareness within their families and communities by encouraging parents and relatives to follow road safety norms and traffic rules. SSP Traffic City Srinagar Aijaz Ahmad Bhat highlighted the collective responsibility of society in ensuring safer transportation for children.

He said that public servants are not doing favors to society but merely fulfilling their duty for which they are paid by the people. He emphasized that traffic authorities remain accountable to the public and are committed to bringing systematic improvements despite limited manpower and infrastructure challenges. The SSP explained that Srinagar’s traffic dynamics have drastically changed over the past decades due to the rapid expansion of colonies, unplanned urban growth, increasing transport and narrow internal roads which often prevent larger school buses from operating effectively inside residential areas.

He observed that many parents prefer cheaper private transport options without considering the severe safety risks involved. He expressed serious concern over overcrowded vans transporting children in unsafe conditions, warning that such negligence could result in lifelong trauma for families in the event of accidents. Sharing alarming statistics, the SSP revealed that several traffic police personnel had themselves suffered serious injuries during duty in the past several years while managing road safety operations. He stated that traffic personnel face immense mental and physical stress daily while ensuring public safety.

The SSP further elaborated on his scientific and analytical approach towards traffic management, explaining how he implemented “reversible changes” and experimental traffic reforms based on feedback, data analysis and practical observations. He highlighted the importance of public participation, saying meaningful reforms are only possible when authorities remain connected with the people and listen to ground-level suggestions.

Chairman Chowdhary Group Showkat Chowdhary, while addressing the gathering, said the programme had been organised after observing the growing challenges associated with school transportation over the last several years. He highly appreciated the efforts of DIG Traffic Kashmir and SSP Traffic Srinagar, stating that despite limited resources and infrastructural constraints, they had successfully transformed traffic management in the city and significantly improved public convenience and economic movement.

Chowdhary announced that the institution has now developed a dedicated parking and transport regulation system within the campus to ensure safer boarding and deboarding of students. He also called upon other educational institutions to implement similar systems and formally register private transport vehicles associated with schools.

CCIK President Tariq Ghani praised SSP Traffic Srinagar for bringing a visible transformation in the traffic system of the city, particularly in Downtown Srinagar. He said that for the first time in decades, senior traffic officers themselves were regularly monitoring ground situations in old city areas including around Jamia Masjid and Islamia College. He termed both DIG Traffic and SSP Traffic as highly dynamic officers whose dedication had greatly benefited the people.

Ghani emphasized that overcrowded school vans pose a grave threat to children’s safety and urged authorities to ensure strict registration and monitoring mechanisms for all vehicles associated with schools. He suggested displaying complaint numbers on school transport vehicles so that parents and citizens can immediately report rash driving or violations.

He also proposed organising awareness rallies involving school children in collaboration with traffic authorities and civil society to promote helmet awareness, traffic discipline and people-friendly policing. Chairman Kashmir Road Safety Foundation Nasir Ali Khan described the initiative as a highly important and timely intervention focused on the safety and secure transportation of children. He appreciated the school management for understanding the seriousness of the issue and taking responsibility in organising such a meaningful programme.

Referring to the growing traffic and infrastructure challenges in Kashmir, he noted that rapid urban changes, diversions, road planning issues and Smart City works have deeply affected traffic movement across Srinagar. He stressed the need for long-term planning, disciplined driving behaviour and greater public cooperation to overcome these challenges.

IDPS Principal S.M.F. Andrabi, while quoting Allama Muhammad Iqbal’s famous verse, “Tu Shaheen Hai, Basera Kar Pahadon Ki Chatanon Par,” praised the dedication, commitment, and courage of officers working tirelessly to enhance public safety and discipline in society. He remarked that authorities often act only after accidents occur; however, the present traffic leadership had adopted a proactive approach by initiating preventive measures before any tragedy takes place, particularly in the area of school transport safety.

The Principal observed that, for the first time in Kashmir, serious attention was being accorded to school transport systems, including the introduction of yellow school buses and stricter transport regulation. He described the initiative as visionary, timely and people-centric, emphasizing that the safety and security of children commuting to schools must remain the highest priority.

He further expressed concern over the increasing number of private transport vehicles making multiple short-distance trips, often transporting children in unsafe conditions. Referring to the growing traffic congestion around educational institutions, he stressed the need for a well-regulated parking system and a proper gate-pass mechanism for vehicles entering school premises.

Noted journalist Emaad Makhdoomi also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the significance of the yellow school transport theme in promoting a sense of safety, discipline and awareness among children. He congratulated DIG Traffic Kashmir, SSP Traffic Srinagar and the management of International Delhi Public School Srinagar for organising such an important awareness programme and expressed hope that similar initiatives would be carried out across other schools as well.

The event commenced with a soulful prayer “Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua” presented by students of International Delhi Public School, Lar Ganderbal. The programme was followed by an interactive Question-and-Answer session, which provided students and participants an opportunity to directly engage with senior officials on issues related to traffic awareness, road discipline and school transport safety. The programme concluded with a formal Vote of Thanks, during which gratitude was extended to all distinguished guests, participants, organisers, media representatives and students for making the initiative both successful and meaningful.

The event ultimately reinforced a strong and timely message that ensuring safe transportation for children is not solely the responsibility of authorities, but a collective social commitment requiring active cooperation among schools, parents, transport operators and civil society. The programme also reaffirmed the shared resolve to create a safer, more disciplined and child-friendly transport environment across the Valley under the inspiring message: “Safe Transport, Secure Tomorrow.”