District Magistrate, Mohammad Aijaz, today chaired a meeting of District Road Safety Committee.Meeting focused on identification of various vulnerable points on the NHW between Patnitop to Banihal.In this regard, decisions were taken to prioritize work on these spots along with ensuring round the clock availability of ambulance to be stationed at Ramsoo. Further, directions were passed to ensure displaying of fare list at taxi stands and increasing the number of public toilets on NH1A.After being apprised of ongoing maintenance works on NHW, the District Magistrate directed the executing agencies to submit the emergency evacuation plans for various working sites and labourers’ safety measures to be put in place under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). He instructed the companies to follow the terms and conditions of contract agreement in letter and spirit. Meanwhile, the District Magistrate also stressed on engineers of PMGSY and PWD for making concerted efforts in repairing all existing road networks in the rural areas. He said that stringent action shall be initiated for poor performance.
District Magistrate directed the construction companies for erecting crash barriers and sign boards at critical points like Nashri, Kunfer Bridge, Digdole, Khooni Nallah, Anookhi Fall, Ramsoo, Digdol, Shitan Nallah, Sher bibi, Battry Chashma and Hingni. Besides, ARTO was asked to identify all other critical locations including the blind curves on NHW within a week’s time.District Magistrate directed the police officers for ensuring smooth plying of vehicles to and from Kashmir valley and Ladakh region, especially those engaged in transporting essential commodities like LPG, Oil and food grains.Various public places and schools were also identified for organizing sensitization programmes for local people and students to make them aware about traffic rules and road safety measures.Earlier, ARTO Ramban informed about the initiatives being taken up to curb the menace of over speeding, over charging, wrong parking, drunken driving, under age driving etc on NHW and various link roads. He disclosed that 11 licenses of vehicles have been suspended, so far. The meeting was attended by senior officers of various departments including civil and police besides representative of construction companies.