 Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 11: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo today chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Transport Department to assess the measures being taken for effective traffic management, reduction of road accidents and strengthening of road safety mechanisms across Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting besides ACS Finance; ACS, PWD; Principal Secretary, Home; Commissioner Secretary, GAD; and Secretary, Transport was attended by IGP, Traffic; Transport Commissioner; Director, Motor Garages and other concerned officers.
Deputy Commissioners and representatives from NHAI, BRO, SAMPARK and NHIDCL attended the meeting through video conferencing.
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary reviewed the implementation of key road safety initiatives, including enforcement drives by the Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) and Traffic Police, functioning of the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) portal, and the rollout of the PM Rahat Scheme aimed at providing immediate assistance to road accident victims.
The Chief Secretary directed all departments concerned to ensure timely uploading and verification of accident data on the iRAD portal to facilitate accurate analysis and prompt corrective measures, particularly at identified black spots. He called for strict implementation of all the Supreme Court directions in letter and spirit with mandatory submission of reports of each major mishap happening on the roads here.
The Chief Secretary emphasized strict enforcement of the road safety policy on ground besides taking of engineering measures by the concerned executing agencies involved in construction of roads here.
The Chief Secretary stressed the need for stronger coordination among departments including Transport, Traffic Police, Health, Public Works and district administrations to ensure effective implementation of road safety measures. He directed for the utilization of road safety fund in favour of accident victims besides effectively implementing the PM Rahat scheme for saving the lives of such individuals.
He also directed that District Road Safety Committees must hold regular meetings and prepare district-level action plans aimed at reducing accidents and improving traffic management.He also instructed road construction agencies to regularly conduct road safety audits of existing and new roads and ensure prompt rectification of hazardous locations to minimize accident risks.
The Secretary Transport, Avny Lavasa took this occasion to inform the meeting that the Transport Department, in coordination with other agencies, has been undertaking detailed analysis of road accidents through the iRAD portal, which helps identify accident hotspots and enables data-driven interventions.
She elaborated that the Integrated Road Accident Database (iRAD) system digitally records accident data and supports scientific accident investigation besides helping in taking corrective measures eventually to reduce the occurance of such mishaps leading to loss of precious lives.
The Secretary Transport further informed that stakeholders have been directed to ensure timely punching and verification of accident data on the portal. Training programmes are also being conducted in coordination with the National Informatics Centre to improve the quality and timeliness of accident reporting, she added.
Integration of electronic Detailed Accident Reports (eDAR) with judicial systems is also being pursued to streamline the accident reporting and compensation process, she apprised the meeting.
The meeting also reviewed the implementation of the Prime Minister's Road Accident Victims' Hospitalization and Assured Treatment (PM Rahat) Scheme, which provides cashless treatment to accident victims during the critical "golden hour"upto the amount of Rs 1.5 lakhs in each case. |
