Indian state Jammu and Kashmir to implement smarter, safer transport management

Jammu and Kashmir State’s Transport Minister, Sunil Sharma, has announced that the State Road Transport Corporation will introduce an Intelligent Transport Management System (ITMS) by June 2018.

“Intelligent Transport Management System is expected to be completed by June 2018,” said Sharma, in reply to the Demand for Grants of Transport Department in the Legislative Assembly.

Part of the SRTC’s fleet is comprised of 518 buses which will all have ITMS implemented. ITMS is an advanced application that aims to provide innovative services to different modes of transport which will enable users to be better informed and experience safer, more coordinated journeys.

Besides regulating traffic movement, the Government is working to introduce Road Accident Data Management System (RADMS) in the State which will enable the Motor Vehicles Department to make rational decisions based on scientific data, ensuring safety on roads.

Members of the public will also be able to report irresponsible driving using an app called ‘Ride Safe’. This technology includes geo-intelligence which can be used to alert officials and achieve quick intervention.

According to Sharma, the State Road Safety Policy is aiming to reduce fatalities and accidents by 50 per cent by 2020.

These varying policies and improvements demonstrate Jammu and Kashmir’s commitment to increasing safety on the roads, from the perspectives of drivers, passengers and pedestrians.

It has also been announced that 140 electric buses are to be added to the fleet under the Smart Cities Scheme together with eight proposed charging stations.

Alongside this, public transportation fares have been revised, the fees and penalties that were recently enhanced are scheduled to be reduced to provide financial relief to passengers. It is expected that this combination of adjustments and enhancements will portray public transport in a more beneficial light, encouraging members of the public to use the available transport more often and consequently become a more sustainable state.