The prolonged failure of traffic signals across Jammu city has plunged commuters into daily gridlock, sparking urgent concerns over urban traffic management. Most signals, part of the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS), have remained non-functional for months, transforming major intersections into choke points for vehicles.
Key locations, such as outside the Civil Secretariat, near Women College Parade, and at Kachi Chawni Chowk, feature defunct signals that are poorly positioned or completely inactive. Officials concede that many signals have not operated properly since their installation, leading to confusion and widespread unregulated traffic movement.
This traffic situation has intensified due to ongoing construction activities at Satwari Chowk, Kunjwani Chowk, and along Narwal Road, all of which have diminished road capacity. An increased influx of vehicles, driven by the Darbar Move, winter migration from Kashmir and Ladakh, as well as the ongoing marriage season, has further stressed the already congested roads.
As a result of non-functional traffic signals, many intersections devolve into chaos. Traffic police personnel are compelled to manually regulate traffic movement. Regular office-goers, students, and patients experience constant delays, while pedestrians often find themselves walking on carriageways as footpaths remain encroached.
Officials reveal that footpath encroachments by street vendors and illegal constructions significantly narrow road space, exacerbating congestion issues. Unregulated reharis have emerged as critical bottlenecks across busy markets and residential areas.
Commuters have raised concerns regarding increased fuel consumption and rising pollution levels as vehicles get trapped in prolonged traffic jams. Despite the signals’ dysfunction, challan cameras continue to operate, prompting resentment among motorists who argue they face penalties for circumstances beyond their control.
The Traffic Department acknowledges the severity of the situation and has initiated efforts to evaluate the problem, planning to deploy additional manpower at busy junctions. However, officials have yet to provide a timeline for restoring the traffic signal system.
Residents are urging the district administration, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Jammu Smart City Limited, and the Traffic Police to undertake immediate action. They demand the repair of traffic signals, the clearing of encroachments, and the implementation of strategies to streamline traffic flow effectively throughout the city.
