Post Tengpora tragic accident
DC Srinagar holds interaction session
with members of Civil society, representatives of Coaching Centres, Private
Schools
Discusses modalities to address
critical issues underlying causes of road accidents
SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER
20:- In order to prevent road accidents and take safety measures to safeguard
precious human lives, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Dr. Bilal
Mohi-Ud-Din Bhat today chaired a meeting with members of Civil society, representatives of Coaching Centres and
Private Schools here at DC Office.
Besides, Additional
District Development Commissioner, Sheikh Ghulam Hassan, the meeting was
attended by the Chief Education Officer, representatives of Coaching Centres
Association of Kashmir and Private Schools, Officers of line Departments and
other concerned.
The meeting was
held in the wake of the recent tragic road accident on the Tengpora Bemina
highway.
At the outset, the
Deputy Commissioner expressed deep concern over the rising instances of road
accidents involving juveniles and emphasized the importance of coordinated
efforts to address the underlying causes.
The DC held
threadbare discussion to explore modalities for addressing critical issues to
curb road accidents and fostering a collaborative approach to ensure the safety
and well-being of people particularly of the youth.
While deliberating
the issue of underage driving, which has often resulted in tragic accidents, it
was observed that a lack of awareness, coupled with inadequate parental
supervision, has led to juveniles being involved in reckless driving practices.
On the occasion,
the Deputy Commissioner stressed the need for strict enforcement of traffic
laws and awareness campaigns to prevent such incidents. He outlined a
multi-pronged strategy to tackle these issues by launching a massive awareness
campaign to educate students and parents about their role to prevent such
incidents. He also emphasised on strict enforcement of Traffic rules to curb
underage driving, including enhanced monitoring and penalties.
The DC further
stressed Parent-Teacher collaboration, regular interactions between parents,
teachers, and coaching centre representatives to ensure that students receive
consistent guidance both at home and in educational settings.
In addition, the DC
emphasized the need for formation of a dedicated task force committee
comprising representatives from the Administration, Educational Institutions,
coaching centres and Civil society to oversee the implementation of safety and
awareness initiatives.
The DC further
advocated for integration of Safety Modules in Education setup by incorporating
modules on road safety, drug abuse prevention, and mental health, besides,
community engagement: efforts to involve local communities in addressing these
issues through regular workshops, seminars, and interactive sessions.
President of the
Coaching Centres Association of Kashmir, Haamid Mufti, assured the Deputy
Commissioner that Coaching Centres across Kashmir stand committed to work
shoulder to shoulder with the authorities to address these pressing issues. He
emphasised the role of coaching centres in shaping the lives of students beyond
academics. He proposed the inclusion of regular awareness sessions on road
safety, drug abuse prevention, and mental health in the curriculum of coaching
centres. He also highlighted the need for collaboration between Educational
Institutions, Parents and Administration to ensure the safety and overall well
being of students.