Travelling between Jammu-Lakhanpur – a nightmare

Despite IGP Traffic’s review and directions to improve the current traffic scenario along the NH 44’s stretches falling in Samba and Kathua districts where commuters have been facing lots of difficulties due to congestion and bottlenecks on account of construction of Katra-Amritsar-Delhi Expressway making the travel nightmarish, no change has been witnessed on ground especially during the night hours when the presence of traffic police personnel’s is almost nil. The frequent traffic jams which at times are several hours long, testify that the concerned authorities especially the men in blue have surrendered before the situation as seldom one finds a traffic cop on duty during the night time when the places like Balol Bridge near Hotel Sarover, Near JK Oil Mills Bari Brahmana, Sidco Chowk, Main Market Bari Brahmana, Bari Brahmana Chowk towards Bishnah cut, Railway cut, Sabji Mandi Bari Brahmana, near Marigold Palace, near Aracot, Palli Morh, Dayalachack Chowk, Chann Rorian, Rajbagh, Sakhtachak, Barnoti, Hatli Morh, etc are choked due to unruly traffic. The situation has reached a point where the congestion lasts for hours, causing significant discomfort and frustration for those who travel daily and the ones facing a medical emergency. Although reportedly, the IGP Traffic had discussed with the officers the measures to minimize the impact of construction on traffic flow but the outcome seems to be ineffective because the traffic scenario is still pathetic and no hope is in sight. Traffic problems due to such a gigantic project’s construction are understandable but the way the traffic police has gone into hibernation, showing lethargy and lack of coordination with other agencies involved in the construction of this expressway is startling because this attitude has left people high and dry. While the construction of an expressway promises long-term benefits, the daily ordeal of commuters is becoming unbearable, with no immediate resolution in sight. The traffic police, whose primary responsibility is to ensure smooth traffic flow and provide relief in such situations, appear to be woefully indifferent to the plight of the public. On most occasions, one can see long queues of vehicles stretching for kilometers, with no visible effort from the police to manage the congestion or offer assistance. There is a need that police should go for regular patrolling, traffic diversions, and a proactive approach not only during the days but at night time also because this could go a long way in alleviating the daily frustrations faced by commuters. The traffic police must step up, demonstrating accountability and a sense of urgency in resolving the issue before the situation deteriorates further.