The news reports that in pursuance of the High Court orders, Divisional Commissioner Jammu convened a meeting with officials of all line departments to chalk out the strategy to resolve the issues being faced by the public due to traffic congestion.
It was said that after threadbare discussion, the concerned officers were asked to work in coordination with various departments to ease out the congestion in the city. However, how far these coordinated actions of the concerned departments would bring some noticeable change on the ground will be seen with intense curiosity.
The traffic management issues have been testing the patience of the people for decades now and when the administration failed, the issues were taken before the courts for judicial intervention. But the solution to the problem is yet elusive and the traffic mess goes on.
A slew of court orders have been issued in the matter, but there has been no progress in managing traffic in Jammu Kashmir's urban centres.
Citizens have been subjected to tremendous sufferings when they are stuck up in frequent traffic jams in almost every intersection of the town without exception. One can easily state that to reach one's destination is a nightmarish experience.
Most common cause of the traffic blockade can be attributed to the public transport – may it be passenger buses or mini-buses plying on the road. They do not comply with the notified passengers stoppage/sheds specifically earmarked for boarding of the commuters. Instead they stop at any point on the road except for the authorised one. Sometimes they just put brakes in the middle of the road to take an odd passenger.
This causes sudden halting of the traffic and ends up in a long queue by the time said minibus proceeds further.
Large scale encroachment on the road sides is another nuisance that narrowed down further the available road passage.
Still further, commoners routinely pass through the horrific ordeal in the name of VVIPs movement. The rude conduct of the Traffic Police and Executive Police at the time of VVIPs movement make people believe that the Cops are only meant for ensuring the quick and safe passage to the VVIPs only at the cost of the public as if it was their sole and pious duty.
Taking serious note of the increasing encroachments on public roads and streets, the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court directed the Jammu Kashmir Administration and the Jammu Municipal Corporation on December 27, 2022 to ensure that no structure of any kind is allowed or permitted to be raised on any public road, street, pathway, or lane.
There must be zero tolerance for such encroachments found on any public road or street, so that the general public does not suffer immeasurably for no fault of their own! It should be noted that the Division Bench stated that if any such structure was erected or re-erected within the last five years, it must be removed immediately, and that any new encroachments must be reported to the Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police in that area.
People strongly believe that such commendable and courageous direction should be implemented not only in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, but in every part and state of India.
JMC should begin a campaign against illegal footpath encroachment and ensure the removal of street vendors who have encroached on public spaces. JMC should identify suitable locations for vendor zones. The traffic police should be effective in clearing traffic jams and levying fines for violations of traffic rules and regulations.
JMC, JDA, Police, Traffic Police, Food Safety, and District Administration are responsible for putting directions into action on the ground. It would be a big relief to the people if the authorities justify their statutory job.
