Jammu Tawi: Sunil Dimple, President Mission Statehood Jammu and Kashmir, led a protest today, demanding immediate action from the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Public Works Department (PWD), ERA, and the Traffic Department to address the deteriorating traffic situation and the poor condition of Jammu city’s roads. Hundreds of traders joined the protest, raising concerns over the ongoing traffic chaos, the prevalence of e-challans, and the dilapidated roads. The protesters called for the construction of an exclusive ring road and the introduction of a metro train system from Amphalla Manda, Janipur High Court, Bantalab to Akhnoor, to ease traffic congestion.
Addressing the crowd, Sunil Dimple criticized the existing traffic management system, describing it as chaotic and ineffective. He highlighted the damaged manholes on the main roads, alleging that the condition of roads in Jammu is worsening and requires immediate blacktopping. He also pointed out that the sewerage manholes of ERA and JMC were overflowing or missing covers, creating dangerous situations and accidents.
Dimple further demanded that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah initiate the construction of an exclusive four-lane ring road from Amphalla Manda to Janipur High Court, extending to Roop Nagar, Bantalab, and Akhnoor. Criticizing the Traffic Department’s e-challan system, Dimple alleged that it was causing harassment to people, as traffic cops focus on issuing fines via photographs rather than managing traffic effectively. He accused the government of collecting revenue without improving the traffic infrastructure.
Dimple also expressed frustration over the frequent lifting of traders’ goods by JMC officials and trucks worth lakhs being removed daily, calling it an ineffective approach to solving the traffic problems. He warned that this issue would lead to further protests unless immediate steps are taken.
Prominent present at the protest included Sat Sharma, Sachin Soi, Rupesh Bhat, Arjun Anand, Bunty Dogra, Vijay, Deepak, and others.
