FACE TO FACE WITH SUNIL SHARMA / FACE TO FACE WITH SUNIL SHARMA
Rational, scientific measures are being introduced to ensure safety on roads besides regulating traffic movement. This was stated by minister for Transport, Sunil Kumar Sharma during his exclusive interaction with the Young Bites. Here are the excerpts. VIJAY GUPTA VG: When top cop of traffic department is on roads, still a lot has to be done by your department to streamline the traffic on the roads, what you think? SS: Of course it is true that the IG Traffic Basant Rath is on roads to help us in streamlining the derailed traffic system in Jammu and Kashmir, but it is also out duty to introduce something new to revolutionize the traffic system. In this regard, rational, scientific measures are being introduced to ensure safety on roads besides regulating traffic movement. For this, the Government is working to introduce Road Accident Data Management System (RADMS) in the State which will enable Motor Vehicles Department to take rational/scientific data based decisions to ensure safety on roads.
VG: Introduction of technology is still a long to go in your department, what is the present scenario of digitization in transport sector?
SS: In this digital day and age, timely and necessary technological updations need to be introduced so that the department can fulfil its basic mandate of providing better transportation facilities to the people with effective safety measures.
The department has initiated implementation of multiple measures in addition to RADMS including switch over to Web Based Online Services (VAHAN/SARTHI 4.0), replacement of paper based documents with plastic/smart cards-in offing, digitalization of all departmental records, introduction of Digilocker Service among others.
VG: Accidents due to irresponsive driving a regular problem, how will you tackle this issue?
SS: To take a strict action against the irresponsive drivers, an app ‘Ride Safe’ is being developed for Citizens to report instances of irresponsible driving with geo-intelligence for intervention and action by filed officials.
With a focus on ensuring road safety by way of awareness and training, he said that the department has initiated work on establishment of Institute of Drivers Training and Research (IDTR) in Jammu and in Srinagar.
With an objective to strengthen the department to check menace for drunken driving, 100 Breath Analyzers were procured during August, 2016 for which funds were provided by the MoRTH, GoI.