Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Traffic Police Srinagar City on Friday conducted an awareness drive to sensitise auto-rickshaw drivers about passenger safety and security protocols, urging them to remove black curtains and opaque coverings from their vehicles.
SSP Traffic Srinagar City Bisma Qazi, accompanied by DySP Mehboob Ahmad, inspected auto-rickshaws during the drive. She highlighted that black curtains obstruct visibility and pose security risks.
Qazi also appealed to drivers not to overload their vehicles, particularly in winter, citing the risk of accidents. She advised those who want to protect passengers from the cold to use transparent plastic sheets instead of black curtains, so that the interior remains visible from outside.
The SSP said Srinagar has seen a decline in road accidents this year, which she attributed to sustained awareness campaigns and enforcement by the Traffic Police. She added that traffic awareness programmes are also being conducted in schools, colleges and universities to educate students about road safety and responsible driving.
Auto-rickshaws are among the most widely used forms of public transport in Srinagar, carrying thousands of commuters, students and shoppers every day. Because passengers often travel in closed compartments, visibility matters for their safety, and it is one reason why police have repeatedly raised concerns over opaque curtains. With the onset of winter, many drivers fit curtains or sheets to shield passengers from cold winds, which makes the advisory timely.
Overloading is another recurring issue, especially during peak hours, when drivers try to accommodate more passengers than permitted. In winter, when roads can be slippery because of rain, frost or snow, an overloaded vehicle is harder to control and brake, increasing the risk of accidents. The SSP’s appeal on this count reflects that seasonal risk.
The recommended alternative of transparent plastic sheets is intended to strike a balance between comfort and safety. It lets passengers stay protected from the cold while allowing police and passers-by to see inside the vehicle, which officials say helps prevent misuse and reassures commuters, particularly women and students, who use auto-rickshaws regularly.
The drive was framed as an awareness exercise, and no enforcement action was mentioned in the information available. Traffic Police have, however, said that campaigns of this kind go hand in hand with enforcement, and drivers who ignore repeated advisories could face penalties under the applicable rules. Further drives are likely as the winter season progresses, and drivers have been urged to cooperate for the safety of passengers.
