BANDIPORA, Mar 16 (KNS) : In a first-of-its-kind initiative in north Kashmir, a high-level symposium on "Smart Tourism & Advancements of Road Safety" was held today at Government Degree College (GDC) Ajas, setting a new benchmark for integrating cutting-edge technology with traveler security in the region.
The event, a collaborative effort by GDC Ajas, the Motor Vehicles Department J&K, the Ministry of Tourism (GoI), IHM Srinagar, and the Bharat Association of Road Safety Volunteers (BARS), focused on the 2026 vision of achieving "zero-harm mobility."
Chaired by Er. Mukhtar Ahmad Sofi, ARTO Bandipora, and attended by Dr. Tariq Ahmad Mir, Nodal Officer for Swachhata Mission 2026 at IHM Srinagar, the symposium brought academic and administrative minds to a common platform. In her address, Principal Prof. Dr. Rukhsana Jabeen stressed the urgent need for technological intervention in the region's mountainous terrain.
Echoing these views, mobility expert S. Umar Bhat delivered a keynote on the future of transportation, detailing how AI-driven "thinking networks" and Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) communication are poised to revolutionize road safety. Experts highlighted the shift from reactive measures to proactive prevention through Predictive Accident Analytics and "ThinnAI" fatigue monitors, designed to safeguard tourists and locals alike.
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The technical sessions were meticulously organized by Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Wagi, Convenor of the College Road Safety Club. Dr. Ashiq Hussain Parray (HOD English) hosted the program with a sophisticated orientation towards integrating academic discourse with social responsibility.
A major highlight of the proceedings was a Solemn Pledge Oath, where attendees, including students and volunteers, committed to acting as responsible citizens dedicated to the vision of zero-harm mobility.
During an interactive session, participants raised pertinent observations regarding local infrastructure bottlenecks and put forward strategic suggestions for future endeavors. The forum unanimously urged the administration to maintain a sustained focus on integrating technological advancements with grassroots social awareness.
The event concluded with a Felicitation Ceremony honoring the active participation of students and volunteers, ensuring that the collective commitment to safety keeps every journey in the region as safe as it is spectacular. (KNS)