Bilal Habib
Awantipora, Jan 08: The Traffic Police, Rural Kashmir, in collaboration with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), on Thursday organised a road safety and traffic awareness programme along the NH-44 stretch from the Awantipora Toll Plaza to Keigam, aiming to promote safe driving practices and reduce road accidents.
The programme was conducted by Traffic Police Sector Pulwama-Shopian under the supervision of SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir Ravinder Paul Singh, with DySP Pulwama-Shopian Mushtaq Ahmad and other traffic officials also present.
Local stakeholders, transporters, drivers of commercial and private vehicles, and representatives of civil society participated in the initiative.
During the awareness drive, participants were sensitised about the importance of adhering to traffic rules and regulations. Emphasis was laid on the mandatory use of helmets and seat belts, maintaining prescribed speed limits, and avoiding dangerous practices such as reckless driving, drunken driving and the use of mobile phones while driving. Drivers were also briefed on safe driving behaviour, pedestrian safety and their responsibility in ensuring public safety on roads.
The programme remained interactive, with drivers and commuters engaging with officials and appreciating the initiative taken by the Traffic Police to address road safety concerns on one of the busiest highway stretches in south Kashmir.
Speaking to Kashmir Convener, SSP Traffic Rural Kashmir Ravinder Paul Singh said the programme was part of a nationwide road safety campaign launched on January 1, 2026. He said similar programmes had already been conducted in two to three districts and would be extended to sub-divisional and tehsil levels in the coming days to widen outreach.
He said a broad range of stakeholders took part in the Awantipora programme, including officials from NHAI, Traffic Police personnel, members of the Sumo Union, drivers and civil society representatives. Singh expressed gratitude to all participants for their active involvement and cooperation.
The primary objective of the campaign, he said, is to reduce road accidents, ease traffic congestion and minimise fatalities. He added that the sustained awareness and enforcement measures have begun to yield results, with a reported reduction of around 23 per cent in road accidents and deaths during 2024–25.
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