In a significant development benefiting commuters on National Highway 44, the Additional Director General of Police Kashmir announced that civilian traffic will no longer be halted on the highway during the movement of VVIPs. A high-level meeting in Anantnag district, bringing together police officers, security forces and intelligence agencies to assess the security situation on the National Highway and review the SOPs to be followed by security forces during convoy movements, approved this relief. It’s worth noting that the previous practice of halting traffic on NH-44 had been causing significant inconvenience to commuters and resulting in traffic jams. In today’s digital age, emerging technologies have revolutionised our intelligence networks and road infrastructure. Measures such as raising divider heights to prevent traffic crossovers, creating direct lateral entries to alleviate congestion in key market areas along the National Highway, and strategically placing U-turns have become essential for efficient traffic management. With access to real-time data from toll plazas, authorities can proactively plan and address bottlenecks as they arise. The installation of CCTVs at critical points not only enhances security but also eliminates the need to halt traffic arbitrarily, preventing unnecessary chaos. By employing scientific methods and utilising accurate intelligence inputs, authorities can maintain a smooth flow of traffic while ensuring security.
Vigilance against OGWs plays a crucial role in providing valuable clues to security agencies, aiding in their planning and response to potential threats. It is essential to remain vigilant and proactive in the fight against terrorism without disrupting the entire highway to protect a few, but alternative, effective ways to protect convoys and VVIPs must be put in place. Traffic snarls not only inconvenience commuters but can also have severe consequences in medical and emergencies. The NH 44 is one of the busiest routes, and even a brief ten-minute halt can result in kilometres-long queues that take hours to clear. The decision by ADGP and the authorities to regulate NH traffic without unnecessary disruptions has been widely welcomed.
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