BUDGAM District Road Safety Committee Meeting Review

In a proactive move to enhance road safety measures in Budgam, Dr. Bilal Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat, the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam, recently presided over a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee at the Conference Hall in Budgam. The primary agenda of the meeting was to assess the current status of road safety initiatives and the enforcement of traffic regulations throughout the district.

The meeting underscored the importance of collaborative efforts to reduce road accidents and ensure safer travel experiences for the public. Dr. Bhat stressed the critical need for the strict implementation of all road safety regulations to enhance overall road discipline. He urged all relevant departments to bolster road safety mechanisms, identify and address accident-prone areas, enhance road infrastructure, and intensify the enforcement of traffic rules to minimize violations.

Aligning with the national vision to reduce road accidents and fatalities by 50 percent by 2030, Dr. Bhat emphasized the significance of focusing on the 4 Es of Road Safety: Engineering, Enforcement, Education, and Emergency Care. He directed departments to prioritize the identification and rectification of black spots, improve road geometry, install necessary signage and road markings, and implement traffic calming measures to enhance road user safety.

On the enforcement front, the Deputy Commissioner called for stringent monitoring and actions against violations such as over-speeding, drunk driving, non-compliance with helmet and seatbelt regulations, overloading, and lane discipline breaches. He emphasized the need for close coordination among Traffic Police, the Transport Department, and other enforcement agencies to ensure consistent compliance.

Furthermore, Dr. Bhat highlighted the importance of education and awareness by advocating for road safety programs in educational institutions and utilizing various media channels to promote responsible road usage, especially among vulnerable groups like youth, elderly, and specially-abled individuals.

Addressing concerns related to the ongoing Ring Road construction, the DC issued clear directives to enforce compliance measures. Entry and exit points leading to the construction site were to be restricted to vehicles associated with construction activities only, with strict monitoring in place. Public access points were to be clearly communicated to avoid confusion and inconvenience.

Additionally, Dr. Bhat emphasized the need for coordination between relevant authorities to prevent unauthorized movement on the construction site. He mandated the installation of CCTV cameras at all entry and exit points for effective monitoring and enforcement.

Reviewing emergency response and trauma care preparedness, the DC called for optimal placement of ambulances, availability of different types of ambulances based on historical data, and the development of an Emergency Medical Plan for mass casualty incidents. He stressed the importance of strengthening trauma care centers and providing first responder training.

Dr. Bhat also reviewed the functionality of the e-DAR system for systematic accident reporting and directed departments to ensure forensic crash investigations for mass fatality incidents. He emphasized the importance of regularly publishing district-wise accident data for transparency and accountability.

Furthermore, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the development of a comprehensive District Road Safety Plan and the establishment of a Road Safety Management Information System to enhance monitoring and reporting capabilities.

In conclusion, Dr. Bhat reiterated the district administration’s commitment to improving road safety standards and creating a secure travel environment for the residents of Budgam. He called for continued collaboration among all stakeholders to achieve tangible reductions in road accidents and fatalities.

The meeting was attended by key officials including the CPO of Budgam, Executive Engineers, ARTO Budgam, Executive Officers from Municipal Committees, and representatives from other concerned departments.