Srinagar: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Friday chaired the fifth meeting of the Multi-Disciplinary Committee on Traffic Management System to review implementation of a comprehensive action plan aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving mobility in Jammu and Srinagar cities.
The meeting was attended by senior administrative and police officers, including the Additional Chief Secretary PWD, Principal Secretary Home, Commissioner Secretary H&UDD, divisional commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, Inspector General of Traffic Police, transport officials, municipal commissioners and senior police officers.
During the meeting, the chief secretary highlighted the importance of recommendations put forward by the committee headed by the Principal Secretary Home and called for a time-bound action plan for effective implementation.
He reviewed progress on identification and rectification of black spots, widening of major roads, creation of rotaries and improvement of key junctions in both cities.
Atal Dulloo stressed the need for identifying funding sources for all proposed projects and directed the Housing and Urban Development Department to take up the matter with the Finance Department for timely execution of the works.
The meeting reviewed measures undertaken for decongestion of major traffic corridors, augmentation of parking facilities, improvement of road infrastructure, streamlining of public transport and strengthening of intelligent traffic management systems.
Officials informed the meeting that several diversion routes have already been identified and operationalised in Jammu and Srinagar to reduce congestion on critical stretches.
In Jammu, 10 diversion routes are currently being used for traffic decongestion, while five diversion routes have been made operational in Srinagar.
The meeting was also informed that dedicated e-rickshaw zones have been established to regulate traffic movement and improve last-mile connectivity. Six such zones have been notified in Jammu, while multiple operational, free and restricted zones have been identified in Srinagar.
Reviewing traffic regulation measures, the chief secretary was informed that one-way traffic systems have been introduced at several locations in both cities and proposals for additional no-vehicle zones in congested commercial and hospital areas are under implementation.
The meeting further discussed implementation of Smart City Command and Control Response Systems, Intelligent Traffic Management Systems and Automated Traffic Management System junctions.
Officials informed the meeting that traffic police and allied departments have procured motorcycles, interceptor vehicles, cranes, body-worn cameras and ambulances to strengthen traffic enforcement and emergency response.
The meeting was also informed that action has been initiated against more than 39,000 habitual traffic offenders, resulting in suspension and cancellation of driving licences and registration certificates besides seizure and blacklisting of vehicles.
In Jammu, projects including Canal Head–Bohri, Jewel–Canal Head and Satwari–Belicharana road stretches have already been completed, while several others are at different stages of execution.
In Srinagar, widening proposals and road safety interventions including installation of metal beam crash barriers and preparation of DPRs for identified black spots are underway.
The chief secretary also reviewed the status of no-parking zones, IT-based parking systems, on-street parking management and development of dedicated vending zones.
Officials informed the meeting that GIS-based parking management mapping is underway in Srinagar, while several parking sites in Jammu have already been tendered and partially operationalised.
The meeting also discussed regulation of banquet halls and schools lacking adequate parking facilities. Municipal commissioners informed that notices have been issued to non-compliant establishments and parking management plans are being enforced to prevent roadside congestion.
Besides, progress on installation of traffic signages, creation of no-honking zones, development of new roads, construction of rotaries and upgradation of bus stands in Jammu and Srinagar was also reviewed.
The chief secretary directed departments to expedite all pending works, remove bottlenecks affecting project execution and ensure visible improvement in traffic flow and commuter convenience across the twin cities at the earliest.
