Install automtic electric traffic signals, J

Srinagar, Sep 16 (UNI) The Environment Committee of Legislators in Jammu and Kashmir has stressed the need for installation of automatic electric traffic signals on all main crossings of Jammu and Srinagar cities in order to regulate the traffic in a more systematic way on the pattern of other metropolitan cities of the country.

The Committee opined that in view of the increased volume of traffic in these two cities, there is a need to evolve some new methods by the concerned agencies for smooth movement in the city so that the general public does not face any difficulties.

The Committee that met here today with main opposition National Conference (NC) chief Whip Mubarak Gul in chair reviewed the entire scenario of traffic system, measures for controlling the vehicles, noise pollution and the impact of pollution on the environment.

The Committee also stressed the need for making a traffic policy in the State after conducting surveys of various areas, keeping in mind the needs of areas and demands of the public so that the permits for commercial vehicles were issued accordingly.

Stress was also laid on construction of more parking places in the city to ease the unnecessary traffic jams at vulnerable places in both the cities.

The Committee also favoured shifting of the bus terminals out of the cities and making some alternate routes operational leading towards the cities, the Committee opined.

The Committee also called for strengthening of Pollution Checking Centres on national highways and at focal points.

The concerned agency should ensure regular check of vehicles and punitive action should be initiated against the offenders.

The Pollution Control Board ({PCB) should make use of mobile testing labs for regularly monitoring the quantum of vehicular traffic, the Committee added.

The representative of the PCB informed the Committee that a comprehensive proposal for common use of Generator sets by the shopkeepers of various markets, Shopping Malls has been forwarded to the Government for its approval.

If the proposal is accepted by the government, the pollution spread by individual generator sets by shopkeepers would be curbed to a large extent.

UNI BAS DKB KP1447