The ongoing dysfunction of traffic signals in Jammu has plunged the city into daily gridlock, causing significant inconvenience for commuters. The failure of most signals, a part of the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS), has left major intersections like those outside the Civil Secretariat, near Women College Parade, and at Kachi Chawni Chowk choked with vehicles.
For months, several traffic lights either remain entirely non-functional or are poorly positioned, creating confusion and chaos. Traffic police often find themselves manually directing traffic, attempting to restore some semblance of order during peak hours.
The gridlock situation has been exacerbated by ongoing construction works at prime locations including Satwari Chowk, Kunjwani Chowk, and along Narwal Road. These projects have reduced road capacity just as the city sees a surge of vehicles due to multiple reasons. Factors such as the Darbar Move, winter migration from Kashmir and Ladakh, and an uptick in wedding festivities contribute to an overwhelming increase in traffic volume.
As a result, residents experience regular delays, impacting office-goers, students, and even emergency service accessibility. Pedestrians navigate dangerously busy carriageways due to persistent encroachments on footpaths by street vendors and illegal structures.
Traffic department officials have identified these encroachments as critical contributors to the worsening congestion. Unregulated reharis, in particular, obstruct main arteries in various markets and residential zones, turning them into persistent bottlenecks.
Commuters voice concerns over the consequent rise in fuel consumption and pollution levels, as long traffic jams keep vehicles idling for extended periods. The situation becomes even more frustrating as challan cameras remain operational. Many motorists express anger, claiming they face penalties for violations resulting from conditions beyond their control.
Although traffic department officials assert that they are assessing the issue and plan to deploy additional personnel to busy junctions, residents remain skeptical. There has been no official timeline announced for reinstating the malfunctioning traffic signal system, leaving many uncertain about when things may improve.
As the city grapples with this pressing issue, residents call on the district administration, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Jammu Smart City Limited, and the Traffic Police to take swift and decisive actions. Urging prompt restoration of traffic signals, tackling illegal encroachments, and effectively streamlining traffic flow throughout Jammu are critical to alleviating daily hardships faced by commuters.
