*Casual approach continues even after Guv’s serious concern
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 19: Notwithstanding the fact that comprehensive measures are required on urgent basis to check continuous rise in accidents on the roads in the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir, State Government is sleeping over draft Road Safety Policy during the past over four months despite completion of all the formalities for its approval on the directions of Governor N N Vohra.
The draft of the first ever Road Safety Policy was prepared by the State Government through Transport Department and the same was placed before the Governor N N Vohra on February 8, 2016. The Governor, who was heading the State at that time, approved the draft of the policy with the directions to the Chief Secretary to elicit the views and comments from different stakeholders.
Adhering to the directives of the Governor, the Transport Department vide Notice No. TR/SRSC-07/2015 dated February 9, 2016 put the draft Road Safety Policy in the public domain inviting suggestions and objections. The last date to receive comments and views from various stakeholders and people was February 29, 2016. On the receipt of suggestions, the Transport Department scrutinized the same and accordingly some of the suggestions were incorporated in the draft.
“However, there is no further follow-up action on the draft policy despite lapse of several months”, sources told EXCELSIOR, adding “the policy after disposal of suggestions was required to be placed before the State Cabinet through General Administration Department for immediate approval keeping in view the fact that road accidents are increasing with every passing year claiming huge number of innocent lives”.
Even Minister of State for Transport, while winding up discussion on grants of Transport Department in the Legislative Assembly few days back, only stated that Government was going to implement a comprehensive Road Safety Policy in the State. But, where the policy is struck up and when the Cabinet approval would be obtained was not revealed by the Minister.
“The casual approach of the concerned authorities is notwithstanding the fact that Governor is repeatedly expressing concern over dilly-dallying approach in initiating required steps to bring down the number of tragic accidents on the roads”, sources regretted, adding at the time of approval to the draft Road Safety Policy the Governor had cautioned the concerned authorities against any casual approach in getting the policy implemented within shortest possible time and in letter and spirit.
According to the sources privy to the exercise of inviting suggestions and effecting their disposal, the Monitoring Committee of Transport Department officers has accepted the suggestion vis-à-vis checking sale, supply and consumption of liquor alongside the National/ State Highways. Moreover, the Committee has carried out necessary modification in the draft to ensure strict adherence to provisions of Ribbon Development Act so as to ensure free flow of traffic on all the roads.
Moreover, the Committee has put weight behind the suggestion regarding raising enough awareness about different aspects, which lead to accidents. Even suggestions regarding improvement in issuance of driving license system have been considered by the Monitoring Committee, sources informed. It has also been agreed that natural plantation barrier along side roads shall be ensured.
As per the draft of Road Safety Policy, in order to provide safer roads and mobility, the Government will establish centre of excellence across the State to create capacity in road safety research as well as human resource for road safety engineering within the R&B Department.
In the policy, issues vis-à-vis Road Safety Audit, Post Crash Response, funding of road safety initiatives, establishment of safe transport infrastructure, enforcement of traffic laws and regulations, providing enabling legal, institutional and financial environment for road safety, building social security for road accident victims and effective emergency medical services for road accident victims have been dealt with.
According to the sources, if the measures recommended in the draft Road Safety Policy are implemented in letter and spirit the same would be of immense help in bringing down number of accidents, which otherwise have assumed alarming proportion in Jammu and Kashmir.
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