Vivek Koul
One of the most common and irritating problems that one faces in the city of temples is getting caught in traffic jams. The daily commuting on the roads of Jammu is becoming worrisome and more grueling day by day, depicting the failure of the public transportation infrastructure to keep pace with the growing developing activities in the Jammu city. Traffic congestion is a burning issue in our city now a days'. Due to burgeoning traffic congestion the life becomes totally out of gear and has come to stand still.
Traffic rules, lane driving, red lights are not being followed honestly which leads to traffic congestion in our city. It has also led to the increase in the number of accidents and fatalities on the roads. The irony is that everyone is in hurry but nobody reaches on time. The system of traffic in our city is worsening and deteriorating with each passing day.
Whenever we go out with the vehicles, we come across with large number of vehicles snarling up on roads, causing immense inconveniences to the public particularly daily commuters like employees and students to reach at their destinations. Though traffic jam is witnessed frequently but during marriage season situation goes worst. It is unmanageable and almost deadlock type of traffic situation can be seen on each and every busy routes of our city. In the peak hours of the day life gets totally paralyzed and collapsed when one passes through these busy routes.
There is an unprecedented increase in the number of private vehicles but the roads length and breadth, by and large, remain the same that were built many decades ago. On the one hand the Jammu city is progressing enthusiastically but on the other hand there is no marked improvement as far as the widening of roads is concerned.
Growing complexities in the current traffic system is creating havoc for all of us. Wrong parking, narrow roads, random and long stoppages for mini-buses at will, non-adherence of traffic protocol and rash driving by mini-buses drivers are some of the main reasons behind this burgeoning problem of growing traffic complexities. There are also instances when some drivers violate traffic norms by crossing red signal at crossings while traffic cops posted there remains mute spectators.
The situation of traffic snarls goes grim after Darbar Move when government Secretariat start functioning here in the winter capital as at that time traffic police stop movement of vehicles on some roads for smooth flow of cavalcades of VIPs, adding woes of the people. The roads particularly New Plot, Janipur, BC Road, Jewel Chowk, Kachi Chawani, Parade Ground, Indira Chowk, Gummat, Dogra Chowk, Bikram Chowk and Tawi bridge remained badly choked with vehicles for hours thereby causing immense inconveniences to the public. Illegal encroachments of the roads and footpaths by the shopkeepers and street vendors have further deteriorated the chaotic situation.
The students were the worst sufferers in traffic jam, who arrive home late while several of them could not reach at the tuition/coaching centre.
Traffic Cops often behave arrogantly with the public and found indulging into malpractice. Department seems to have confined itself for revenue generation only by Challaning and collecting fines. If serious and sincere efforts are not taken soon by the government, the traffic system will soon collapse. Traffic awareness programs needs to be initiated by the traffic department in this perspective that will eventually make people aware of the driving rules and other protocols associated with the traffic system.
The officials deployed at various spots have predetermined quotas of challans to file per day and their attention remains on just completing the quotas. Government needs to take due cognizance of the alarming traffic situation brewing up in Jammu and should formulate a genuine mechanism so that smooth flow of traffic can be maintained. Comprehensive traffic smart solutions by installing CCTV cameras at all busy routes of the city with high resolution picture can also go a long way in streamlining the traffic woes. Other steps like increasing manpower of traffic police, controlling unauthorized parking, widening of roads and lanes, removal of encroachment and maximum flyovers have to be taken on war footing basis by the government to save Jammu from further traffic chaos.
