JAMMU, JANUARY 30: Principal Secretary Transport Department, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon today chaired a meeting to discuss the road safety measures and other issues pertaining to the transport and traffic departments.
The meeting was attended by IG Traffic, T Namgyal , JMC Commissioner, Avny Lavasa; Additional Secretary H&UDD, Pankaj Kumar Sharma; Chief Engineer PMGSY Kashmir, Showkat Pandit; Chief Engineer R&B, Des Raj; Director Finance, Transport Department, Mahesh Dass; Assistant Commissioner Transport, Swarn Singh; Project Director, NHAI Ajay Kumar Rajak; Secretary JDA, Reetika Arora; Prof. IIT Jammu, Ashok Kumar.
Principal Secretary stressed upon the senior officers of concerned department to make coordinated efforts for effective implementation of road safety measures to curb the accidents and save the precious lives.
Samoon sought suggestions from the concerned departments for making the J&K roads, including the Jammu- Srinagar National Highway, safe for traffic.
IG Traffic, T Namgyal, expressed concern over low height of median ( road Divider) on the National Highway and stated that tractors and trucks often cross over it, increasing the risk of accident. He also sought erection of crash barriers from main carriageway to service road.
Project Director, NHAI Ajay Kumar Rajak said that the median has been installed as per IRC design standard. However, he agreed to erect additional crash barrier wherever required and also in median crash barrier shall be provided where median width is very less.
Listing other road safety measures being taken by NHAI, the Project Director said that Road Safety consultant is on the job for suggesting improvements on Lakhanpur – Vijaypur stretch. “Engineering deficiency will be taken care of and flyover, under pass, Service road wherever required will be provided, while curves shall be smoothened,” he added.
He also stated that 6 lanning DPR from Vijaypur to Satwari Airport -stretch is being undertaken and whatever deficiencies are being noticed will be rectified subsequently during the construction. He has also informed that road safety audit is being done regularly and as per the suggestion made by the Road Safety Consultant the necessary rectification is being carried out forthwith.
As regard to Kunjwani Junction, the Project Director NHAI intimated that a flyover has been proposed after Sainik Colony to Army Gate another from BRO Gate to Satwari and henceforth Kunjwani Chowk shall be signal free.
He also informed that 7mtr service road on both sides shall be provided all along the Jammu Bypass from Kunjwani to Sidhra. 2 Lane ROB at Sainik Colony, one ROB at Sidhra and one foot over bridge at Bhathindi and Army Gate shall be constructed, he added.
He also informed that Narwal, Qasim Nagar and Bhatindi Junction shall be improved. “The encroachment shall be removed with the help of District Administration. As per the suggestion made by the Safety Advisory body, the NHAI will implement the facilities then and there” he assured.
