SRCS to act as nodal agency to combat road accidents in J

Srinagar, May 9 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor Lt Gen (Retd) S K Sinha today said the State Red Cross Society (SRCS) will act as a nodal agency for coordinating between various organisations to curb the menace of increasing road accidents in the state.

Addressing the General Council meeting of the SRCS here, the Governor said it will come up with a road map for combating the problem by the year end or early next year.

He said the road accidents claim more lives than casualities caused due to militant violence.

The formulation of a realistic plan will be preceded by seminars and a series of interactive sessions with civil society, he added.

He envisioned a mechanism of having first-aid centres equipped with ambulances and wireless communication network right from Pathankot to Uri for responding to the needs of accident victims.

''Our endeavour should be to save lives by giving them quick first-aid and shifting victims to earmarked trauma centres,'' he added.

He called for a multidimensional approach by various agencies like Public Works, Transport, Traffic Health and Police to reduce the number of road accidents.

The Red Cross can play a catalyst role in bringing about synergy between these organisations in the overall interest of road users.

The civil society will also be involved in this effort in a big way, Gen Sinha added.

UNI BAS SB KP1313