Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 27: Minister for CAPD and Transport, Qamar Ali Akhoon has stressed upon the functionaries of Transport Department to take preventive measures to check accidents particularly in hilly areas to save precious human lives.
The Minister stated this while chairing a high level meeting of senior officers of various departments at Civil Secretariat here today.
The meeting was attended by MLA, East, Ashok Khajuria, MLA, Bimla Luthra, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Pradeep Gupta, Transport Commissioner, M A Kaakroo, Commissioner Secretary Transport Department, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, IGP Jammu, Dilbag Singh, DIG Traffic, Danesh Rana, RTO Jammu, Varender Slathia, MD, SRTC, J.S. Tondon, Vice Chairman, JDA, Sarita Chouhan, SSP Traffic, Manmohan Singh, Director State Motor Garages, G.A. Sofi, SP City, J.S. Johar, SE, R&B, P.L Bhushan and other senior officers of different departments besides representatives of different Transport Unions.
The Minister said that the Government is making all out efforts to avoid accidents, adding that the transport authorities were directed to take appropriate action in a well planned manner so that the genuine people do not face any hassle.
The Minister apprised that all the Assistant Regional Transport Offices (ARTO) have been made fully computerized to bring transparency and accountability in the department. The Minister said that 100 kanal of land has already been identified each at Jammu and Srinagar for construction of High Tech Training Institutes.
He directed concerned authorities to ensure that the Motor Vehicle Act should be implemented in letter and spirit. The Minister called upon the officers to conduct periodical reassessment of drivers and chalked out strategies to upgrade their driving skills besides regular mechanical checkup of the vehicles as most of the accidents were occurred due to human error.
He said that there is no constraint of infrastructure in the organization and several innovative measures have been taken to provide improved facilities to the common man. He said that for the benefit of the public the State Road Transport Corporation has been made online with a website and the exercise is receiving healthy feedback besides other transport welfare schemes have also been introduced for the benefit of transporters.
Regarding ban on 407 Matador in accident prone districts like Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban, the Minister informed that several complaints in this regard were received from the public and the concerned have been asked to take early action to sort the issue. He directed the ARTOs of all the districts to issue licenses after completing all codal formalities.
Referring to the metering in light motor commercial vehicles, Mr. Akhoon said that Government is contemplating on the proposal keeping in view of heavy flow of pilgrims in the state so that reasonable rates are charged from the visitors and the general public.
The traffic authorities were directed to check the menace of overloading to reduce the accidents. On the complaints of representatives of Transport Associations, the Minister asked the traffic authorities to minimize the checking points so that the transporters do not face any sort of harassment.
Regarding the staff shortage, the Minister informed that posts have been created in all districts and send to SSRB so that selection process will be started on fast track basis.
Representatives of transport union putforth their demands and grievances. The Minister gave them a patient hearing and assured that their legitimate demands and grievances should be given sympathetic consideration.
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