The prolonged failure of traffic signals across Jammu city has resulted in severe traffic congestion, causing daily inconvenience to commuters and raising serious concerns over urban traffic management. Major intersections, especially near the Civil Secretariat, Women College Parade, and Kachi Chawni Chowk, have become choke points due to non-functional signals. These traffic lights, part of the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS), have languished in disrepair, with many installed signals remaining non-operational for months.
The situation exacerbates daily as ongoing construction works at significant hubs like Satwari Chowk and Kunjwani Chowk continue to disrupt traffic flow. Even Narwal Road has faced reduced road capacity due to similar projects. Adding to the woes, the city currently experiences an influx of vehicles driven by the Darbar Move, winter migration from Kashmir and Ladakh, and the ongoing wedding season.
In the absence of functional traffic signals, intersections often descend into chaos. Traffic police personnel are forced to manually regulate the movement of vehicles, leading to frustration among commuters. Office-goers, students, and patients frequently encounter delays, while pedestrians find themselves navigating carriageways due to encroachments on footpaths.
Officials acknowledge that footpath encroachments, particularly by street vendors and illegal structures, have significantly narrowed available road space, contributing to worsening congestion. Unregulated reharis create additional bottlenecks, particularly in busy markets and residential areas.
Commuters express alarm over increased fuel consumption and pollution levels caused by vehicles remaining stuck in lengthy traffic jams. Despite the signals’ dysfunction, challan cameras continue to operate, leading to resentment among drivers who argue they incur penalties for circumstances beyond their control.
Traffic department officials stated that efforts are underway to assess the overwhelming situation and deploy additional manpower at busy junctions, although no official timeline exists for restoring the once-functional traffic signal system. “We are doing our best to improve the situation,” one traffic official remarked.
In the wake of these challenges, concerned residents have urged the district administration, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Jammu Smart City Limited, and the Traffic Police to take immediate action. They request restoration of traffic signals, clearance of encroachments, and overall management of traffic flow across the city. As Jammu’s traffic woes continue, the call for a robust urban traffic management plan gains urgency.