Take steps to reduce traffic accidents in Kashmir, minister

Srinagar, July 12 (UNI) Concerned over the increasing number of raod accidents, claiming at an average of two to three lives here daily, the Jammu and Kashmir government has directed the transport department and its allied wings to take all measures to stop the accidents.

Minister for Transport, Hakeem Mohammad Yaseen, expressed serious concern over the day-to-day traffic accidents in the state and asked for a unique and defined approach to be followed by traffic police, transporters and transport authorities to avert the accidents.

Reviewing the over-all functioning of the transport department and its allied wings at a senior officers meeting here today, Hakem Yaseen directed the concerned authorities to implement the traffic rules strictly across the state so that the graph of traffic accidents declines.

He asked the Transport Commissioner to keep senior officers under movement to ensure smooth and accident-free plying of traffic.

Transport Minister hinted that the fare rates being charged by the Sumo drivers, charging varied rates and opeating especially on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway would be rationalized very soon.

He warned that the government would not hesitate to take serious action against the officers who would not perform up to the satisfaction of the authorities as well as general masses.

Hakeem Yaseen also reviewed the transport facilities being provided to 'yatris' visiting Amarnathji Cave from Jammu to base camp Pahalgam and Baltal and vice versa.

UNI