Srinagar, Oct 06: To reduce road accidents, the Traffic Police Kashmir has identified blackspots across the Valley and forwarded the list to the concerned departments for necessary action.
According to Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Traffic, Kashmir, Haseeb-ur-Rehman, the number of vulnerable spots is higher in peripheral areas compared to cities.
“We have already prepared the list of such spots and forwarded it to the concerned departments for necessary action,” he said.
On the blackspots, the DIG said some roads have issues related to curve designs, road engineering defects and other factors.
“In peripheral areas, the sharp turns in hilly areas need to be corrected, or there is a need to erect crash barriers at those places,” DIG Traffic Kashmir said, adding that suggestions have been put forth to the concerned departments and measures are expected to be taken in this regard.
Rehman said improving the traffic system requires a multi-departmental strategy and coordinated efforts by various agencies.
“Every department must get involved, including Traffic, Transport departments, SMC and, in peripheral areas, road construction agencies and others. After their involvement, the traffic system can be improved on the ground,” he said.
DIG Haseeb also highlighted the issue of pedestrians crossing roads at undesignated points in Srinagar.
“In Srinagar, people cross the roads at any point. They never follow the rules by crossing at the designated spots where zebra crossings have been made. Due to such things, the vehicular movement gets affected as it slows down the traffic,” he said.
Furthermore, the DIG said there was a need to decongest roads at congested places, increase parking slots and remove footpath encroachments.
“During my tenure as SSP Traffic, a decision was taken to come up with an alternative place for vendors. Then, Mecca Market was established as the roadside vendors were shifted to the place. But now, the number of street vendors has increased manifold, thus there should be a policy for these things, which would help to improve traffic management,” he added.
