Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has directed authorities to create more parking facilities across urban centers in the Union Territory to combat escalating traffic congestion. The directive came during a meeting of the Multi-Disciplinary Committee (MDC) on Traffic Management, which reviewed a comprehensive action plan aimed at improving urban mobility, easing traffic flow, and enhancing road safety in Jammu and Srinagar.
The meeting, as reported by Tahir Rihat, focused on the implementation of recommendations from the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCCoRS) and assessed progress on various inter-departmental initiatives. These initiatives encompass traffic regulation, parking management, public transport enhancement, road infrastructure development, enforcement strategies, and support for road accident victims. Chief Secretary Dulloo emphasized the necessity of coordinated and results-oriented efforts from all involved departments.
He specifically instructed the Municipal Corporations of Jammu and Srinagar to conduct regular inspections to ensure the proper installation and adequacy of traffic signage across various locations within both cities. Respective Divisional Commissioners were tasked with closely monitoring the progress of these measures and ensuring the swift resolution of any identified deficiencies. The Chief Secretary also urged the Traffic Department to leverage data from the electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) portal to pinpoint accident-prone areas and identify time-specific traffic risks. He stressed that the deployment of traffic personnel should be strategically aligned with these identified hotspots and black spots to bolster enforcement and significantly reduce road accidents.
Furthermore, Chief Secretary Dulloo called for the development of a proposal to enhance the capacity of the Transport Department. This enhancement would enable the department to conduct thorough safety audits of heavy passenger vehicles operating throughout Jammu and Kashmir, with a particular focus on the safety standards of school buses. This proactive approach aims to ensure the well-being of commuters, especially vulnerable student populations.
Addressing the critical issue of parking management, the Chief Secretary underscored the importance of designating additional on-street parking spaces in suitable urban locations to provide greater convenience for the public. He reiterated the need for the effective implementation of the parking policy, which includes the creation of more parking lots within urban centers. This measure is considered crucial for alleviating congestion that arises from unregulated parking practices. Information presented during the meeting indicated that a significant portion of the allocated Road Safety Funds has been utilized for procuring essential traffic monitoring and enforcement equipment. Since 2021, Rs 13.83 crore out of an allocation of Rs 18.14 crore has been spent on acquiring items such as 560 iron traffic barricades, 685 body-worn cameras, 1,000 traffic safety night belts, 19 interceptor vehicles, 16 high-patrol vehicles, 23 cranes, 36 breath-alcohol analyzers, and 100 first-responder kits, in addition to ambulances. A Government e-Marketplace (GeM) contract and supply order have also been finalized for 30 containerized traffic booths, with an estimated cost of Rs 103.5 lakh, and prototype preparation is currently underway.
Anshul Garg, Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir, provided a detailed presentation outlining the measures implemented in and around Srinagar. These initiatives include the identification of potential parking spaces, the execution of decongestion projects, the integration of Intelligent Traffic Management Systems (ITMS) at key junctions, the establishment of e-charging stations, the remodeling of bus stops to improve functionality, and the rectification of identified black spots on roadways. The presentation highlighted a multi-pronged strategy to address the unique traffic challenges faced by the summer capital.
Mandeep Kaur, Commissioner Secretary of the Housing and Urban Development Department (H&UDD), presented the status of various interventions being undertaken by her department and urban local bodies. These efforts are focused on streamlining public transport services, implementing effective parking regulations, developing designated vending zones to manage street vendors, and strengthening technology-enabled traffic management systems. The H&UDD’s role is pivotal in shaping the urban landscape and ensuring that infrastructure development supports efficient and safe transportation networks across the Union Territory. The collective efforts aim to create a more organized and less congested urban environment for residents and visitors alike.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.
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