The Jammu and Kashmir administration has established District Highway Safety Task Forces across the Union Territory with the objective of bolstering road safety measures, identifying high-risk accident zones, and ensuring strict adherence to Supreme Court directives.
The Chenab Times has learned that this move comes in response to a Government Order No. 1412-JK(GAD) of 2026, issued by the General Administration Department on August 18, which mandates compliance with an April 13, 2026, Supreme Court order in the case titled In Re: Phalodi Accident vs NHAI & Ors.
According to the directive, each District Magistrate will chair their respective task force as Chairperson. The other members will include the Senior Superintendent of Police, the Additional Deputy Commissioner or Sub-Divisional Magistrate, the Assistant Regional Transport Officer of the concerned area, and representatives from the executing agencies responsible for road construction and maintenance, the Traffic Police, and the relevant Urban Local Body.
Furthermore, the Chairperson of each task force has been granted the authority to co-opt any other individual deemed necessary for the effective execution of the task force’s responsibilities. This provision allows for broader expertise and collaborative efforts in addressing road safety challenges.
The primary mandate of these newly formed task forces will be to closely monitor the implementation of the Supreme Court’s guidelines. This includes overseeing the removal of encroachments and unauthorized access points that often pose hazards on national highways and other major roadways. The task forces are also responsible for reviewing land-use regulations along highways, working in coordination with all relevant agencies to prevent future safety issues stemming from urban or rural development near critical road infrastructure.
Additionally, the task forces will focus on enhancing highway surveillance, strengthening enforcement activities, improving traffic management strategies, and implementing various other road safety initiatives. A key responsibility will involve pinpointing locations that have a high incidence of accidents and then proposing specific engineering solutions, enforcement measures, and public awareness campaigns aimed at significantly reducing the number of road accidents in their districts.
The order further stipulates that the task forces are mandated to ensure effective coordination among all stakeholder departments and agencies involved in road safety. This collaborative approach is crucial for the successful implementation of safety measures. Periodic progress reports are to be submitted to the Government through the concerned administrative departments, ensuring transparency and accountability.
To maintain consistent oversight and timely intervention, the task forces are required to convene meetings at least once every fortnight. These regular sessions will be dedicated to reviewing the status of compliance with all road safety measures and discussing any emerging challenges or necessary adjustments in their respective districts.
The Chenab Times News Desk