Meeting held to chalk out traffic measures

Srinagar, Mar 1: The authorities on Saturday convened a meeting to deliberate on the smooth traffic movement in Srinagar city in view of the school transport moment during the forthcoming academic session across Kashmir.

A meeting was convened at the Directorate of School Education Kashmir (DSEK) to deliberate on the issue and chalk out strategy to ensure smooth flow of traffic on Srinagar roads during the morning and afternoon hours.

The meeting was attended by Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani, Regional Transport Officer (RTO) Kashmir, Qazi Irfan and Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic City) Ajaz Ahmad Bhat besides the representatives of 24 private schools of the Srinagar district. During the meeting, the officers deliberated on the issue and various suggestions were put forth by the officers to tackle the traffic congestion in the City.

The representatives of various private schools were also taken on board during the deliberations. During the meeting it has been decided that the Srinagar schools will operate in staggered manner in order to ensure their school buses, ferrying the students pass easily without students getting stuck in traffic jams. Notably the current timing for schools within Srinagar Municipal limits is 10am to 3pm. “But it was decided that schools from a particular area will start 20 minutes prior to the official timing and depart accordingly-20 minutes prior to the closing time,” the official said.

He said that similarly other schools in the area will start 20 minutes later to the official timing in morning and close 20 minutes late in the afternoon. “All the school representatives agreed to the suggestions and gave their consent to fix the timing accordingly. The parents should also cooperate with the department and the respective schools,” the official said. He said these modalities are being worked out to avoid any congestion in the city and also keeping in view the upcoming tourist rush for tulip festival.

“From March-April we will again see tourist rush for tulip garden and other areas so we are working out modalities to avoid any traffic congestion on the roads,” the official said. At the it was decided that the modalities will be discussed with the administrative and will be notified after getting a go ahead nod from the government. “The director will discuss these points with the administrative department and will be notified for implementation after getting approval from the administrative department,” the official said.

Talking to Greater Kashmir, Director School Education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani said the department was focused to ensure smooth academic session of the students. “We are trying to ensure that the academics of the students should not face any interruptions. School children are our first priority,” he said.