KISHTWAR: Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Kumar Sharma, also Chairman of the District Road Safety Committee, today chaired a meeting to review and strengthen road safety measures across the district.

The meeting deliberated on strict enforcement of traffic regulations and measures to minimise road accidents, including regular road maintenance, curbing overloading, over-speeding and rash driving, improving traffic management, decongesting busy routes, installing road signage and generating public awareness. It also reviewed installation of crash barriers and promotion of speed-limit awareness through Road Safety Clubs in schools and colleges.

The Deputy Commissioner directed all concerned departments to coordinate closely, ensure adherence to road safety norms, expedite safety works and monitor vulnerable road stretches, including organising continuous road safety awareness programmes in colleges. He directed the ARTO Kishtwar, Police and Traffic Police to intensify enforcement drives against traffic violators, with focus on overloading, over-speeding and rash driving and instructed the District Traffic Inspector (DTI), Traffic Police and MVD Kishtwar to continue road safety awareness campaigns and conduct joint enforcement drives, including surprise breath analyser checks, to curb drunk driving.

He further directed the DTI Kishtwar to remove prohibited stranded trucks near Berwar along the Kishtwar–Paddar Road to ease congestion and facilitate movement of pilgrims undertaking the Shri Machail Mata Ji Yatra 2026.

Taking note of road damage caused by wastewater, he directed the committee comprising the Tehsildar and the CEO, Municipal Council Kishtwar, to inspect unauthorised service stations lacking proper drainage and seal those found violating norms and to identify accident-prone locations for installation of crash barriers.

The DC also directed departments to ensure timely entry and monitoring of accident cases on the eDAR portal and to strengthen inter-departmental coordination. Reviewing ongoing road works, he directed NHIDCL to fill potholes on the Kuleed–Girinagar and Hasti Morh–Malipeth stretches; NHIDCL said the remaining blacktopping work, delayed due to a bitumen shortage, will commence within 15 days.

Among those present were ASP Pardeep Singh, Executive Engineer (Jal Shakti) Rohit Wadera, Executive Engineer (PMGSY) Rajesh Sharma, Executive Engineer (PWD R&B) Shamis Din, Executive Engineer (PWD R&B) Tilak Rajwal, Executive Engineer (PWD R&B) Gurjeet Singh and MVI Robin Parihar, besides other officers and departmental representatives.

Your voice can reach the world: At JK Monitor, we firmly believe that every well-researched idea has the power to inspire change beyond geographical boundaries. We are delighted to share an encouraging message from one of our esteemed contributors, Dr. Rakesh Verma (J&K Forest Services). “His article, ‘When Trees Become Rights-Bearing Citizens: A Lesson from Canada for India’s Ecological Future,’ published on JK Monitor, received appreciation from La Compagnie des Papillons Bleus, the French non-profit organisation that founded and promotes the Universal Declaration of Tree Rights.”.  Read the message here
In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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