Srinagar, Aug 18(GNS): The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has constituted District Highway Safety Task Forces in the Union Territory in compliance with the Supreme Court’s order dated April 13, 2026 passed in Wp(C) No. 9 of 2025 titled In Re: Phalodi Accident vs. Nhai & Ors.
As per Government Order issued by the General Administration Department on August 18, 2026, a copy which lies with GNS says that each district task force will be headed by the District Magistrate as Chairperson.
The members of the task force will include the Senior Superintendent Of Police, Additional Deputy Commissioner/Sub-Divisional Magistrate to be nominated by the Chairperson, Assistant Regional Transport Officer concerned, Representative of the Executing Agency including Nhai, Nhidcl, Public Works (R&B) Department or any other concerned agency, Representative of Traffic Police not below the rank of Deputy Superintendent Of Police, and Representative of the Urban Local Body concerned.
The Chairperson may co-opt any other member as may be necessary for effective discharge of the mandate.
The task forces have been assigned key responsibilities including monitoring implementation of the directions issued by the Supreme Court in the Phalodi Accident case.
They will also monitor removal of encroachments and unauthorized access points on National Highways and other major roads, and review regulation of land use adjoining highways and recommend corrective measures in coordination with concerned agencies.
The panels will oversee highway surveillance, enforcement activities, traffic management measures and other road safety initiatives. They will identify accident-prone locations and recommend engineering, enforcement and awareness interventions for mitigation of road accidents.
The task forces will ensure coordination among all stakeholder departments and agencies for effective implementation of road safety measures. They will submit periodic reports to the Government through the Administrative Department concerned regarding compliance and progress achieved.
The order further mandates that meetings be held at least once every fortnight to review the status of compliance with road safety measures within the district. The task forces will also perform such other functions relating to highway safety and implementation of Supreme Court directions as may be assigned by the Government.
The order stated that the move aims to strengthen road safety measures and ensure coordinated action across departments in the Union Territory.(GNS)
