JAMMU: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today presided over a meeting of the Multi-Disciplinary Committee (MDC) on Traffic Management Systems for Jammu and Srinagar, to take a comprehensive look at the measures already undertaken and those proposed for easing congestion, strengthening road safety, and improving overall urban mobility in both cities.
The meeting witnessed participation of senior administrative and police officials, including ACS, PWD, Principal Secretary, Home; Commissioner Secretary, H&UDD; Divisional Commissioner, Jammu/Kashmir; IGP, Traffic; Secretary, Transport; DIG, Traffic, Jammu/Kashmir; SSPs Traffic, Srinagar/Jammu; Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, Jammu/Srinagar; VC, LCMA; Vice-Chairman, JDA/SDA, besides officers from other concerned departments.
During the deliberations, the Chief Secretary underscored that Jammu and Srinagar, being the face of the UT and receiving a continuous flow of tourists and visitors, require swift and focused interventions to enhance the commuter experience.
He stressed the need for the timely execution of traffic management plans and called for the early operationalisation of Intelligent Traffic Management Systems (ITMS) and Integrated Traffic Light Systems (ITLS). He directed the Divisional Commissioners to monitor the implementation rigorously. He also stressed on resolving other bottlenecks after incorporating feedback from citizens and stakeholders.
Briefing the meeting on the current status of traffic improvement initiatives, the Divisional Commissioners outlined the steps taken in both cities, such as introducing diversions where required, setting up new roundabouts, installing traffic signals at strategic points, augmenting parking facilities, identifying no-parking stretches, earmarking dedicated bus stops, enforcing one-way traffic on congested routes and adjusting school and college timings. They further informed that dedicated corridors for eastern and western minibuses have been planned, honking zones are being regulated, and additional charging points for Smart City electric buses are also going to be established here.
Expressing concern over traffic violations, particularly those related to lane discipline, the Chief Secretary called for strict enforcement. He reviewed action taken against the 9,204 repeat offenders identified so far through e-challans. The Transport Commissioner informed that 600 driving licences had already been suspended and that the remaining cases were being examined for appropriate action based on the seriousness of the violations.
The IG Traffic appraised the meeting about the efforts made to decongest city roads, including zoning of e-rickshaws, implementation of one-way traffic regimes in selected areas, and installation of road dividers wherever necessary.
The Commissioners of the Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations briefed the Chief Secretary about steps taken to streamline urban spaces, which include establishing designated hawker zones, relocating street vendors, rehabilitating them through kiosk allotment, and ensuring that commercial establishments develop adequate parking facilities.
The Chief Secretary instructed all departments to furnish detailed, location-specific accounts of measures implemented on the ground. Emphasising traffic management in areas with heavy tourist movement, the meeting discussed the necessity of designated parking areas and the use of small-capacity vehicles to prevent congestion caused by larger buses.
Departments also presented updates on initiatives aimed at expanding road capacity through elevated corridors and flyovers, constructing multi-level parking structures, and removing encroachments that obstruct smooth traffic flow.
Road safety measures were also reviewed, including the establishment of no-honking and no-parking zones, construction of medians and dividers, closure of unsafe openings, and rectification of identified black spots in coordination with construction agencies.
The Chief Secretary also enquired about the operational status of the newly procured bus fleet intended to enhance the city’s public transportation network. The Vice-Chairmen of JDA and SDA, along with representatives from Urban Local Bodies, detailed the infrastructural and planning initiatives in progress.
Other aspects discussed in the meeting included procurement of enforcement equipment by traffic police, such as alcohol meters, breath analysers, speed detection devices and body cameras. The manpower-related concerns within traffic police, safety audits of school buses, improvements in parking and transport planning in urban centres, better management of shikara and water transport, and clearing footpaths and roadways of encroachments were discussed in detail in the meeting.
Secretary Transport informed the Chief Secretary about capacity-building efforts initiated with the support of national-level institutions to train various stakeholders involved in urban mobility and transport management.
Reiterating the importance of coordinated functioning among all departments, the Chief Secretary observed that improved logistics and mobility planning is essential for sustainable urban development.
He reviewed progress being tracked through the e-Samiksha portal and urged all departments to maintain focus on implementing citizen-centric solutions that can bring about visible and lasting improvements in traffic conditions in both the cities of Jammu and Srinagar.
