Traffic deptt too understaffed to regulate traffic rush
Law and Parliamentary Affairs minister Ali Mohammad Sagar Saturday said 895 persons were killed in road mishaps in Valley in 2010 and traffic department was under-staffed to regulate the ever growing traffic.
“In 2008, 900 persons died in different road accidents. The figure rose to 1109 in 2009. At least 895 persons died in mishaps in 2010. 23, 557 persons were also injured in the accidents due to the negligent driving,
“In 2008, 900 persons died in different road accidents. The figure rose to 1109 in 2009. At least 895 persons died in mishaps in 2010. 23, 557 persons were also injured in the accidents due to the negligent driving,
” Sagar said while addressing a seminar organized by JK Traffic Police to mark Road Safety Week.
Terming frequent deaths and injuries in accidents as alarming, the minister said traffic police is under staffed. “The population is increasing and so are the vehicles. Traffic police has not got enough man power to regulate the traffic. They are under-staffed,” he said.
Every year thousands of vehicles are added to the roads, which have not been widened since years.
However, Sagar said roads are being widened at various places to ease the traffic pressure.
He stressed on the Traffic department to issue licences to only expert drivers. “An employed youth approached me for a driver’s post but he did not possess a hill license. When I told him that you don’t have license, he said he would get a hill license in a week’s time,” he said and cautioned the traffic department to issue licenses on merit.
He said traffic rules should be implemented very strictly. “There should be no special treatment to special persons or VIPs. Laws are made for everybody and have to be respected by all,” he said.
Criticizing traffic police for allowing vendors and hawkers to block the roads, Sagar said, “The Sunday market at Polo View and the roadside vendors in Lal Chowk choke the roads, causing frequent traffic jams and grave inconvenience to commuters. The roadside vendors should desist from violating the laws”.
He also criticized transporters for observing strikes. “The strikes cause innumerable problems to common masses especially the elderly and week persons, who can’t walk. The transporters should not observe strikes,” the minister said.
He also stressed on making people aware about traffic rules.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Mehraj Ahmad Kakro said government is committed to ease the flow of traffic by taking up road widening projects and creating parking spaces.
“The work on Jehangir Express Corridor would have started but Chief Minister Omar Abdullah first wanted to rehabilitate the people, whose houses and structures will be raised. We have earmarked Rs 256 crore for the project,” he said, adding, “We are also going to set up multi-storied parking places.”
IGP Kashmir S M Sahai said traffic police should be given more powers to contain the traffic accidents.
SP Traffic Maqsood-u-Zaman said they are organizing a week long traffic awareness program to educate the masses about their responsibilities in helping regulate traffic. He apprised the participants about the public indiscipline on roads which put the common man to various problems especially the hospital emergency and stressed on public co-operation to ensure smooth flow of traffic in every nook and corner.
SP Traffic (Rural) Ghulam Mohammad Wadoo and VC LAWDA Irfan Yaseen were also present.
Terming frequent deaths and injuries in accidents as alarming, the minister said traffic police is under staffed. “The population is increasing and so are the vehicles. Traffic police has not got enough man power to regulate the traffic. They are under-staffed,” he said.
Every year thousands of vehicles are added to the roads, which have not been widened since years.
However, Sagar said roads are being widened at various places to ease the traffic pressure.
He stressed on the Traffic department to issue licences to only expert drivers. “An employed youth approached me for a driver’s post but he did not possess a hill license. When I told him that you don’t have license, he said he would get a hill license in a week’s time,” he said and cautioned the traffic department to issue licenses on merit.
He said traffic rules should be implemented very strictly. “There should be no special treatment to special persons or VIPs. Laws are made for everybody and have to be respected by all,” he said.
Criticizing traffic police for allowing vendors and hawkers to block the roads, Sagar said, “The Sunday market at Polo View and the roadside vendors in Lal Chowk choke the roads, causing frequent traffic jams and grave inconvenience to commuters. The roadside vendors should desist from violating the laws”.
He also criticized transporters for observing strikes. “The strikes cause innumerable problems to common masses especially the elderly and week persons, who can’t walk. The transporters should not observe strikes,” the minister said.
He also stressed on making people aware about traffic rules.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Mehraj Ahmad Kakro said government is committed to ease the flow of traffic by taking up road widening projects and creating parking spaces.
“The work on Jehangir Express Corridor would have started but Chief Minister Omar Abdullah first wanted to rehabilitate the people, whose houses and structures will be raised. We have earmarked Rs 256 crore for the project,” he said, adding, “We are also going to set up multi-storied parking places.”
IGP Kashmir S M Sahai said traffic police should be given more powers to contain the traffic accidents.
SP Traffic Maqsood-u-Zaman said they are organizing a week long traffic awareness program to educate the masses about their responsibilities in helping regulate traffic. He apprised the participants about the public indiscipline on roads which put the common man to various problems especially the hospital emergency and stressed on public co-operation to ensure smooth flow of traffic in every nook and corner.
SP Traffic (Rural) Ghulam Mohammad Wadoo and VC LAWDA Irfan Yaseen were also present.
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