DC Doda reviews road safety measures at 1st DRSC meeting  

• Seeks strict action against roadside dumping, violation of safety norms

DODA: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Doda Krishan Lal, who is also the Chairman of the District Road Safety Committee, today chaired its 1st meeting in the Meeting Hall of DC Office Complex to review road safety measures, traffic management and status of ongoing works on National Highways and other roads in the district.

The meeting was attended by ADC, ADC Bhaderwah, ACR, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), Dy.SP Traffic, Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) and other officers and concerned departments and virtual online.

Threadbare discussions were held regarding restoration and maintenance of roads, installation of crash barriers, road markings, signages, traffic regulation measures and removal of encroachments and construction material from roadsides to ensure smooth and safe movement of traffic across the district.

The Deputy Commissioner directed all executing agencies to take effective measures for reducing steep gradients on roads falling under their jurisdiction and emphasized timely restoration of damaged road stretches. BRO was directed to intensify efforts for repair and restoration of washed away stretches at Seri Chakranna, Dradoo and Senai Bhalla and ensure early restoration of the strategically important Chattergalla road.

The Chair also directed NHIDCL to remove hanging boulders at Khandote Naseeb Nagar National Highway stretch and keep necessary machinery available for handling emergencies. SDM Thathri was instructed to provide a fire tender vehicle for removal of leftover boulders through water pressure wherever required.

The issue of traffic disruption at Raggi Nallah during rains also came up for discussion. The NHIDCL informed the meeting that the existing culvert at the site shall be replaced with a 10-meter span minor bridge.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the agency to commence work at the earliest for permanent resolution of the issue. Expressing concern over roadside dumping of muck and construction material, the Deputy Commissioner directed all road-owning agencies to immediately remove encroachments, sand, gravel, bricks and other dumped material from roadsides.

 Executive Officers of Municipal Committees were also asked to take strict action against illegal roadside construction activities and dumping within municipal limits. To strengthen road safety infrastructure, the Chair directed PWD, PMGSY, BRO and NHIDCL to install metallic crash barriers strictly as per IRC/MORTH specifications and ensure closure of all gaps in crash barrier protection.

The Executive Engineer PWD (R&B) Doda was specifically directed to expedite installation works and complete them within the stipulated timeframe. The Deputy Commissioner further instructed all agencies to increase installation of mandatory, cautionary and informative road signages, especially at vulnerable locations, sharp curves, hairpin bends and accident-prone zones. Directions were also issued for proper road markings, installation of cats-eyes, edge lines and repair of damaged rumble strips to improve visibility and ensure safe driving during night hours and adverse weather conditions.

The Chair directed strict enforcement against electric autos/e-rickshaws plying without valid driving licenses and categorically stated that no e-auto/e-rickshaw shall ply on National Highways. For effective enforcement and monitoring, Dy.SP Traffic and ARTO were directed to submit weekly reports regarding RC cancellations along with detailed annexures.

The Police Department, Health Department and Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) were directed to work in close coordination for effective operationalization and implementation of the PM-RAHAT Scheme. All concerned departments were asked to designate nodal officers for smooth implementation of the scheme in letter and spirit.