Liberal vehicle registration policy in Kashmir to continue:RTO

Srinagar, Jan 28 (UNI) Regional Transport Officer (RTO) M Iqbal Mir today said the liberal policy of the Jammu and Kashmir government on registration of new vehicles in the Valley would continue.

''The liberal policy of registering new vehicles in Kashmir would remain unchanged and continue as it is,'' Mr Mir said.

He was clarifying on his recent statement that a proposal would soon be submitted to the state government suggesting imposition of ''reasonable restrictions'' on registration of new vehicles to ease traffic congestion in the Valley, particularly the Srinagar city.

The RTO said his priorities include strengthening the mechanism for registering new vehicles, issuance of licenses besides ensuring strict compliance of traffic norms to minimise road accidents in the Kashmir valley.

Mr Mir said he would activate the inspectors of the motor vehicles department and direct them to go for random and surprise checks on different routes in the city and other parts of Kashmir.

He said special squads had been formed to check violation of any traffic norms in the entire Kashmir valley. Besides checking overloading, documents and permit routes, Mr Mir said the squads would ensure strict time management so that the public transport plied till late hours in the evening in Srinagar.

The RTO said vehicles would be asked to leave terminals at the allotted time and any violation dealt with strictly.

Mr Mir said he would also call upon the transporters to display fare at all terminals in the Kashmir valley.

The RTO also said he would ensure strict compliance of specific guidelines issued by the competent authority regarding reservation of seats for women in public transport.

Mr Mir said an awareness campaign would be soon launched in the entire Valley to apprise people of traffic rules and regulations.

UNI