Hold training workshops with transporters: Transport Commissioner to ARTOs
Hold training workshops with transporters: Transport Commissioner to ARTOs
‘Motive behind is to safeguard lives, enhance road safety’
Srinagar, Jul 16 : In a bid to enhance road safety and protect lives, the Transport Commissioner Jammu and Kashmir, Rajinder Singh Tara has instructed Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTOs) to conduct training workshops for transporters to sensitize them on the latest technological gear to avoid e-challans and blacklisting instances.
Singh, who was on his maiden visit to North Kashmir’s Kupwara to review the efficiency of transport services in the district while speaking to media as per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) said that their primary objective is to ensure road safety and safeguard lives.
“In order to make transporters aware of their mistakes leading to challans and blacklisting of vehicles, they will be equipped with information so as to avoid the instances of e-challans and blacklisting like situations. These workshops aim to reduce traffic related accidents and safeguard human lives,” the Transport Commissioner said.
Regarding vehicle fitness, Singh said that the only Automated Fitness Test (AFT) center [Automated Inspection and Certification Centre] at Samba is all set to function and will conduct vehicle fitness checks using automated processes instead of manual methods.
“I am pleased to inform you that the Samba center is complete and within a month or two, machinery from Germany will be installed,” he said, adding the project commissioning will help the department to bring more transparency in the system, by adopting modernised scientific methods to determine fitness status of vehicles.
Singh said that in Kashmir, one SRTC has been given a license for the Automated Testing Station at Pampore and one at Jammu. Apart from this, two more private individuals from the valley have applied for the same and have completed the formalities. “Hopefully, the Kashmir valley alone will have 3-4 stations, so that transporters may not have to go outside,” he said.
“With road safety as our top priority, we want our drivers to be well-equipped and well-trained. For this purpose, Jammu and Kashmir will soon have its centrally sponsored driving institute, which is already under construction in Jammu. The department is on its toes to complete the first phase within 4-5 months. Drivers will not only be trained but also become master trainers to further train more people,” Singh, who was accompanied by the Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, ADC Kupwara, ARTOs of Kupwara and Baramulla and others said.
He also said that the department is in the process of establishing district-level training Institutes, for which advertisements have already been floated. The matter has been taken up with the district deputy commissioners for land allocation, official added.
During the visit, the Transport Commissioner scrutinized the implementation of various online services offered by the department, emphasizing the importance of timely service delivery to ensure smooth and effective operations for general public.
