JAMMU: Inspector General of Police (Traffic), J&K, M. Suleman Choudhary on Thursday reviewed traffic arrangements for Diwali, winter preparedness in Kashmir and along the National Highway, and measures to prevent road accidents and ease congestion across the Union Territory.
Chairing a meeting with senior Traffic Police officers, Choudhary discussed congestion points, accident-prone locations, road accident hotspots and enforcement measures.
He directed officers to prepare comprehensive traffic management plans for Diwali in Jammu and Srinagar cities and other major towns, keeping in view the expected increase in vehicular and pedestrian movement due to festive shopping and public gatherings.
He called for special attention to market areas, shopping complexes, religious places, major intersections and locations where temporary stalls selling sweets and firecrackers were likely to be set up. Officers were asked to ensure adequate deployment of traffic personnel, regulate roadside parking, prevent unauthorised encroachments and maintain access for emergency vehicles.
Reviewing winter preparedness, the IGP directed Kashmir-based Traffic Police officers and the SSP Traffic National Highway to prepare a comprehensive plan for vulnerable stretches, particularly Qazigund, the National Highway, Mughal Road and Sonamarg.
He asked officers to identify landslide-prone areas, snow accumulation points and other vulnerable locations in advance. In case of forecasts of heavy rain or snowfall, adequate manpower and equipment, including snow cutters and clearance machinery, should be kept ready in coordination with road-maintaining agencies.
He also directed that vehicles should not be allowed to proceed towards vulnerable stretches without an assessment of road conditions and clearance from the competent authorities.
Emphasising road safety, Choudhary called for intensified enforcement against traffic violations that pose a threat to human life and urged officers to adopt a proactive approach to accident prevention.
The meeting was attended by senior Traffic Police officers from Jammu and Kashmir, with DIG Traffic Range Kashmir Haseeb-Ur-Rehman, SSP Traffic City Srinagar Bisma Qazi, SSP Traffic National Highway Ramban K. Priyanka and SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir Liaqat Ali joining through video conferencing. Other senior officers from Jammu and Traffic Headquarters attended in person.