DODA, MAY 11: Deputy Commissioner Krishan Lal on Monday chaired the first meeting of the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) at the DC Office Complex to review road safety measures, traffic management, and the status of ongoing works on National Highways and other roads in the district.
The meeting was attended by senior officials including the Additional Deputy Commissioner, ADC Bhaderwah, Additional Superintendent of Police, Dy.SP Traffic, Assistant Regional Transport Officer, and officers from concerned departments both physically and through virtual mode.
Detailed discussions were held regarding road restoration and maintenance, installation of crash barriers, road markings, traffic regulation measures, and removal of encroachments and construction material from roadsides to ensure safe and smooth traffic movement.
The Deputy Commissioner directed all executing agencies to take effective steps for reducing steep road gradients and ensuring timely restoration of damaged road stretches. The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was instructed to intensify repair works at Seri Chakranna, Dradoo, and Senai Bhalla and ensure early restoration of the strategically important Chattergalla road.
The Chair also directed NHIDCL to remove hanging boulders along the Khandote Naseeb Nagar National Highway stretch and maintain machinery for emergency response. SDM Thathri was instructed to provide a fire tender vehicle for removal of leftover boulders through water pressure wherever necessary.
Traffic disruption at Raggi Nallah during rainfall was also discussed, with NHIDCL informing the meeting that the existing culvert would be replaced with a 10-metre span minor bridge for a permanent solution.
Expressing concern over roadside dumping of muck and construction material, the Deputy Commissioner directed all road-owning agencies to immediately clear encroachments, sand, gravel, bricks, and other dumped materials from roadsides.
Executive Officers of Municipal Committees were also asked to take strict action against illegal roadside construction activities and dumping within municipal limits.
To strengthen road safety infrastructure, Krishan Lal directed PWD, PMGSY, BRO, and NHIDCL to install metallic crash barriers as per IRC/MORTH standards and ensure closure of gaps in protective barriers.
The Deputy Commissioner further instructed departments to increase installation of mandatory, cautionary, and informative road signages, particularly at vulnerable and accident-prone locations, besides ensuring proper road markings, cats-eyes, edge lines, and repair of damaged rumble strips.
He also directed strict enforcement against electric autos and e-rickshaws operating without valid driving licences and stated that no e-auto or e-rickshaw would be allowed to ply on National Highways.
The Police Department, Health Department, and Motor Vehicles Department were instructed to work in coordination for effective implementation of the PM-RAHAT Scheme, with all departments asked to designate nodal officers for smooth execution of the initiative.
