Travel companies urged to equip cabs with anti-skid chains: Traffic Police

Srinagar, Dec 30: In a bid to ensure the safety of tourists and drivers in hilly areas, the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police has urged travel companies across Kashmir to equip tourist cabs with anti-skid chains.
These chains are essential for maintaining traction on icy and slippery roads, especially in areas like Sonamarg, which witness heavy snowfall during winter.
DYSP Traffic Rural Ganderbal, Gulzar Ahmad, emphasized the importance of this safety measure during an awareness campaign held to inform travel companies about the risks of traveling in snowbound areas without adequate preparation. “We have urged all travel companies to ensure that their tourist cab drivers are provided with anti-skid chains. These are critical for the safety of passengers and drivers traveling to hilly tourist destinations like Sonamarg,” he said.
The step comes after a recent incident where hundreds of tourist cabs and commercial vehicles were stranded in Sonamarg due to heavy snowfall, leaving thousands of tourists stuck for hours. In response, the Ganderbal administration has issued an advisory stating that vehicles without anti-skid chains will not be allowed to travel beyond Gund.
“Drivers are advised to use these chains only in areas prone to skidding, such as icy patches and steep inclines,” Gulzar Ahmad added. “The police are always ready to assist, but the cooperation of the public and travel companies is vital for the success of such safety initiatives.”
He further urged travel companies to make it a priority to equip all their cab drivers with anti-skid chains, ensuring that vehicles are adequately prepared for the challenging conditions in snowbound areas.