KCCI hosts high-level meet to address rising road accidents in Kashmir

Srinagar, Nov 19: In response to the alarming increase in road accidents involving minors and the recent tragic incident that claimed the lives of two teenagers, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) today convened a crucial stakeholder meeting with top government officials and community representatives at the chamber office.

The high-level meeting presided over by KCCI President Javed Ahmad Tenga was attended by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, VK Bidhuri; SSP Srinagar, Imtiyaz Hussain; and SSP Traffic, Muzaffar Shah, alongside KCCI office bearers, executive committee members, school management representatives, members of parents association, and civil society stakeholders.

In a significant development, participants reached a consensus on the critical role of parental responsibility in preventing minors from operating vehicles without valid licenses. The meeting emphasised the need for a coordinated approach to address this pressing issue that has resulted in numerous fatalities on Kashmir's roads.

KCCI President Javid Tenga emphasised the chamber's commitment to public safety, stating, "We believe KCCI will play an important and constructive role in curbing the rate of accidents and raising awareness among parents and students. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that precious lives are not lost through preventable accidents."

School management representatives proposed the implementation of comprehensive guidelines for educational institutions, specifically requesting authorities to issue clear directives prohibiting students from commuting to school via personal vehicles without proper documentation.

Addressing the gathering, Divisional Commissioner VK Bidhuri revealed that preliminary steps have already been taken: "We have issued directions to school authorities regarding this matter. While we will launch an aggressive awareness and enforcement campaign, parents must ensure their wards do not operate two-wheelers or four-wheelers without proper authorization."

SSP Srinagar Imtiyaz Hussain took a firm stance on enforcement, warning that parents could face legal consequences for enabling underage driving. He said that such actions constitute abetment to crime and may result in legal proceedings against guardians who allow minors to operate vehicles.

SSP Traffic City, Muzaffar Shah outlined the department's commitment to strictly enforcing juvenile driving regulations, highlighting the moral responsibility of all stakeholders in preventing accidents involving minors. He added that Police will more strictly enforce laws relating to non-authorized driving including booking abettors to such crimes.

The meeting focused on establishing a collaborative framework between law enforcement, educational institutions, and civil society. Participants discussed the development of comprehensive guidelines for schools regarding student transportation and planned extensive awareness campaigns targeting parents and students. The authorities committed to enhanced enforcement measures against juvenile driving violations, with regular follow-up meetings planned to monitor progress.

The gathering concluded with a unified commitment to implement immediate measures to reduce accidents involving minors, emphasizing the shared responsibility of parents, educational institutions, and law enforcement agencies to ensure road safety.