SRINAGAR: After heavy rains and inclement weather in the Jammu Division, Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary took stock of the condition of Jmu-Sri NH for smooth movement of traffic on the highway.Principal Secretary, PWD, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir/Jammu, IG Traffic, concerned Deputy Commissioners, SP Traffic, National Highway, and RO, NHAI were present at the meeting in addition to other relevant offices. The police were urged by the chief secretary to maintain efficient traffic flow on the motorway. He asked them whether the prior directives prohibiting the operation of heavy trucks on this road were still in effect.Dr Mehta was aware of the problems, which included lowering the gradient of the road between Ramban and Banihal, removing muck, enlarging the carriageway in certain locations, designating truck holding areas, finishing the second tube of the Ramban flyover and making progress on the Banihal bypass. He emphasised the need for tough action against the automobiles that move too slowly all the time. He urged them to stop overloading trucks and make sure that no such vehicle advances while causing delays for other vehicles.Additionally, he gave instructions to traffic authorities to uphold strict lane discipline and prohibit parking of vehicles on the side of the road. The Chief Secretary stressed that only 60 km (out of more than 300 km) of the route are two lanes, so it shouldn’t create a significant bottleneck for efficient traffic management. Additionally, he requested that traffic in Banihal Market be managed and that rigorous lane discipline be enforced there. Dr Mehta also asked each Deputy Commissioner on the state of the road. He made it clear to them that the road should not be blocked due to weather conditions other than for a short period of time while it is cleared, and that it should be quickly reopened to traffic.He emphasised to the carrying out agencies that they must provide the second tube of the Ramban flyover by August 15th and the Banihal bypass by the end of the year as promised. The traffic and NHAI gave the Chief Secretary their assurances that, after all of these directives had been put into place, the flow of traffic would be mostly calm and uncongested. They also assured him that all crucial sections of the roadway had been kept fully staffed and equipped to prevent unnecessarily lengthy traffic delays. The Divisional Administration was urged by the Chief Secretary to keep an eye on the prices of necessary commodities on this occasion.He gave instructions to ensure their availability on the market as well. He instructed them to make sure that each store displays the rate list of goods so that anyone using overcharging will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
