JAMMU, MAY 19: To check overloading, rash and negligent driving, as also to ensure safety of children and female passengers, the UT administration on Friday decided to make installation of CCTV cameras mandatory in metadors and school buses plying in Jammu and Kashmir’s hilly Doda district.
The decision was taken at a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee (DRSC) chaired by Doda Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Mahajan, who also happens to be the DRSC chairman. The meeting was attended by Doda SSP, Abdul Qayoom; Superintending Engineer PWD, RP Singh; ARTO, Rajesh Gupta; among other members of the DRSC.
“Taking in account certain complaints and apprehension raised in the DRSC meeting, Chairman (DC) ordered the installation of CCTV cameras in all the School buses, and Matadors registered with ARTO Doda,’’ an official release said.
The installation of CCTV cameras inside the matadors and school buses, according to Doda Deputy Commissioner, will help administration, police and security agencies on security and law and order front, apart from checking the condition of driver in case of a mishap. These cameras will be installed at such a point inside the vehicle that it will help police identify any passenger who leaves behind anything suspicious before getting off the vehicle, or misbehaves with co-passengers especially female, he said, adding that these will also help the investigating agencies find out the condition of the driver in case of a mishap.
In large number of accidents happening in Doda district, either the driver is driving the vehicle rashly or negligently under the influence of some intoxicant, or he is driving an overloaded vehicle, sources said.
Pointing out that the DRSC assessed the availability, requirement, and augmentation of existing infrastructure and other logistics for safe plying of vehicles on the roads in the district, an official statement here said the executing agencies were directed to install glow signage, speed limit boards and boards with Emergency Response Team contact numbers on all the roads. The DRSC also instructed the concerned authorities to raise memorials at accident sites to alert the commuters. The agencies were also asked to remove the encroachments from all the roads.
On decision of installation of CCTV cameras at the identified places by NHIDCL and other agencies, the meeting was informed that the matter has been taken up with higher authorities for the grant of funds and necessary approval.
On the previous instructions of holding joint naka at 9th KM near Assar, it was apprised that the same is held frequently. The Chairman asked the officers to conduct checking at Assar Naka regularly to prevent unfit and unregistered vehicles from entering the district unnoticed. The agencies were also instructed to install crash barriers on identified spots where accidents have happened or are likely to happen, at the first instance and to create the parking bays at appropriate distances.
The DRSC also discussed the implementation of other decisions and availability and disbursement of the Road Safety funds, iRAD training, awareness and implementation activities, and other issues.