Non-Functional Traffic Signals Cause Daily Gridlock in Jammu
Jammu faces chronic traffic issues as non-functional traffic signals lead to severe congestion, affecting commuters daily. Urgent action is needed for better urban traffic management.
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The prolonged failure of traffic signals in Jammu city has plunged commuters into severe traffic congestion, raising urgent concerns about urban traffic management. Most signals installed under the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) have been non-functional for months, turning major intersections into serious choke points.
Signals at key locations, such as outside the Civil Secretariat, near Women College Parade, and at Kachi Chawni Chowk, remain either defunct or poorly positioned. Officials admit that many of these signals have not operated well since their installation, resulting in confusion and unregulated traffic movement.
The situation worsens with ongoing construction work at Satwari Chowk, Kunjwani Chowk, and along Narwal Road, which has sharply reduced road capacity. With the Darbar Move, winter migration from Kashmir and Ladakh, and the current marriage season, the number of vehicles on the roads has surged, further intensifying congestion.
Without functioning traffic signals, intersections often descend into chaos. Traffic police personnel struggle to manually regulate vehicle movement. Office-goers, students, and patients experience daily delays, while pedestrians have no choice but to walk on carriageways due to footpath encroachments.
Officials note that footpath encroachments by street vendors and illegal structures have significantly narrowed road space, exacerbating congestion. Unregulated rehri vendors now obstruct major market areas and residential neighborhoods, creating major bottlenecks.
Commuters voice concerns about increased fuel consumption and rising pollution levels as vehicles remain stuck in long traffic jams for extended periods. Interestingly, despite the non-functioning signals, challan cameras continue to fine motorists, causing resentment as many feel penalized due to circumstances beyond their control.
Traffic department officials indicate that they are assessing the situation and looking to deploy additional personnel at busy junctions. However, a clear timeline for restoring the traffic signal system has yet to be announced.
Residents have called upon the district administration, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Jammu Smart City Limited, and the Traffic Police to take urgent action to restore traffic signals, clear encroachments, and streamline traffic flow throughout the city.
