Jammu, August 18, 2026: The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has ordered the constitution of District Highway Safety Task Forces across the Union Territory to strengthen road safety measures and ensure effective implementation of directions issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court.

As per Government Order No. 1412-JK(GAD) of 2026, dated August 18, 2026, the task forces have been constituted in compliance with the Supreme Court’s order dated April 13, 2026, in In Re: Phalodi Accident vs. NHAI & Ors.

The District Magistrate will serve as the Chairperson of the task force, while the Senior Superintendent of Police, Assistant Regional Transport Officer, representatives of executing agencies, Traffic Police and the concerned Urban Local Body will be members. An Additional Deputy Commissioner/Sub-Divisional Magistrate may also be nominated as a member by the Chairperson.

The task forces will monitor road safety measures, including the removal of encroachments and unauthorized access points on National Highways and other major roads. They will also review land use adjoining highways and recommend corrective measures in coordination with concerned agencies.

The mandate further includes overseeing highway surveillance, enforcement activities, traffic management and other road safety initiatives. The task forces will identify accident-prone locations and recommend engineering, enforcement and awareness interventions to help mitigate road accidents.

They will also ensure coordination among stakeholder departments and agencies, submit periodic progress reports to the Government, and undertake other functions related to highway safety as assigned from time to time.

The government order directs the task forces to hold meetings at least once every fortnight to review compliance with road safety measures within their respective districts.

The order has been issued by the General Administration Department, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, on August 18, 2026.