In a decisive step toward enhancing road safety and reducing accidents, District Magistrate Ramban, Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, directed all concerned departments to adopt stringent measures on National Highway-44 (NH-44) and other link roads across the district.
The directive came during a District Road Safety Committee meeting chaired by the District Magistrate today. The meeting saw participation from Senior Superintendent of Police, Kulbir Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Varunjeet Singh Charak, Project Director, NHAI PIU Ramban, Parshotam Kumar, ARTO Sheetal Sharma, CMO) Kamal Ji Zadu, Executive Engineer PW(R&B) Division Ramban Abhishek Gupta, Dy.SP Traffic Police, and other key officers.
During the meeting, the DM instructed the ARTO, Police, and Traffic Police Departments to collaborate with stakeholders to curb road accidents and foster a culture of road safety awareness among the public.
A key focus was laid on preventing over-speeding and overloading, as well as controlling issues such as under-age and drunken driving. Strict enforcement of traffic rules was emphasized to ensure safer roads for all.
To enhance pedestrian safety along the NH-44 stretch from Nashri to Banihal, the DM directed the NHAI to explore the feasibility of constructing overhead footbridges at crucial locations identified in the meeting.
Additionally, measures to address illegal parking, congestion, and roadside vending in Banihal and Ramban towns were discussed, with instructions issued to the Traffic Police and Municipal authorities to decongest critical areas, including Bus Stand Ramban and Hospital Road.
The meeting also underscored the importance of strict action against traffic violators, with the Traffic Police directed to share challan data with the Motor Vehicle Department for rigorous follow-up.
SSP Kulbir Singh suggested rectifying black spots on roads to further mitigate accident risks. Regarding the ongoing four-laning of the Nashri-Banihal stretch on NH-44, the DM directed the concerned agencies to expedite the work while ensuring smooth traffic flow at critical points to minimize disruptions in winter season.
The project is expected to significantly enhance road safety and travel efficiency upon completion. The District Magistrate also discussed the urgent need for establishing trauma centers along NH-44 to provide immediate medical assistance to accident victims and enhance emergency response capabilities. The DM directed the Chief Medical Officer to identify suitable land for setting up trauma centers at key locations.