JAMMU, MARCH 14, ANB: In order to prevent road accidents, injuries and fatalities on roads, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, hereby notified "The Jammu and Kashmir Road Safety Policy -2025".
According to News Service, Associated News Bureau, ANB, An official notification, it is said that the road transport is the most effective mode of transportation in J&K, and the Government recognizes that the road safety demands an integrated and holistic approach to tackle road safety issues in the J&K.
Highlighting the need to frame new Road Safety Policy, the notification briefed that there are over 22.66 lakh registered vehicles in J&K. During the year 2022, 6092 road accidents were reported in J&K in which 805 people lost their lives whereas in year 2023, 6298 accidents were reported and 893 people lost their lives.
As per data 40% of all the accidents occurred in districts of Jammu, Udhampur, Samba and Kathua. Accidental data analysis shows that number of accidents and fatality rate needs to be brought down making it imperative to promote preventive strategy for road safety.
Keeping in view the above data, the Government with a vision to achieve the goal of reduction in road accidents as well as fatalities by 50%by 2030, reiterates its commitment to bring significant reduction in road accidents in the J&K in coordination with all stakeholders and government agencies.
It is further said that, the Government will create an effective institutional mechanism to strengthen road safety measures and will provide necessary support structure to enable each institution to play its role effectively.
It will promote awareness regarding road safety amongst key decision makers and Government Departments responsible for making provision of safe roads and to facilitate them for planning and promoting road safety involving Motor Vehicles Department, Traffic Police and citizens particularly young, elderly and specially abled persons through effective involvement of Print Electronic & social media for creating awareness on Road Safety by highlighting the consequences of road accidents.
In the new Road Safety Policy, the institutional arrangements have been strengthened by constituting the State Road Safety Council which shall be headed by Minister In-charge Transport and a lead agency headed by an officer of the rank of Additional Transport Commissioner.
The Government will ensure that best practices are incorporated and adopt accident prevention and reduction strategies for existing roads and intersections through continuous identification of black spots on city roads with time bound improvement plans/programs/measures etc.
DRDCs shall conduct regular identification of accident-prone areas/black spots on the basis of accident intensity and severity after every six months and corrective actions within six months for the identified accident-prone areas/black spots through proper planning design and construction techniques will be done.
Based on identified defects, carry out sustainable improvements in the road network shall be carried out and necessary actions such as road markings, speed limit signage, warning signs, curve treatment, re-designing of roads etc. in a time bound manner will be taken.
The Government will also establish an accountability mechanism for faulting contractors, and consultants regarding poorly constructed and maintained roads, including a process for black listing them.
The notification said that Development Authorities are already entrusted with responsibility to create more parking spaces. Parking policy will be notified to impress upon vehicle owners to have parking space before vehicle is purchased.
Further Municipal/Development authorities should charge for road side parking with charges increasing exponentially with time.
In order to decrease the pressure on roads, the Government will adopt innovative features to encourage use of Public Transport System instead of Private Transport System.
The Government will also bring into effect a Non-Motorized Transport policy for the J&K to specifically recognize the rights of non-motorised road users, and will provide for dedicated resources and a policy framework to ensure a safe and accessible road system network for them.
Regarding the encroachment on roads, pathways and pedestrian paths, which has become one of the reasons for road accidents and congestion, the removal of encroachment of roads and pathways shall be strictly enforced and building pedestrians pathways and bicycle lanes and no vehicle zones in selected areas will be ensured to provide safety for vulnerable road users.
Expressing his satisfaction on the Road Safety Policy -2025, the Transport Minister Satish Sharma asserted that new policy will make every effort to improve the quality of traffic enforcement in J&K in close coordination with J&K Traffic Police, Motor Vehicles Department to enforce spot penalties, action against overloading of passenger vehicles, drunken driving, non-wearing of helmets and seat belts etc.
He said that the Government will ensure that the enforcement agencies are adequately manned trained and equipped to undertake their functions more effectively & professionally. ANB
