Rs 7 crore yet not approved for fresh AMC
*Situation leads to congestion, violation of traffic norms
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 14: A significant number of traffic signals across Jammu are non-functional since long primarily because the Government has not released Rs 7 crore for execution of fresh Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC) even after repeated requests from the Traffic Police. As a result, almost all the intersections in the city are witnessing severe traffic congestion, frequent violation of traffic norms and an increased risk of road accidents especially during peak hours.
The traffic signals were installed at more than 60 locations by Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL) under the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) project, within the jurisdiction of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC). After installation, the operational responsibility was handed over to the Traffic Police.
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Official sources told EXCELSIOR that the signals functioned effectively during the initial period under the AMC. However, the situation deteriorated after the contract expired and a new contract has since been stalled due to non-release of funds. “Despite the Traffic Police approaching the Government multiple times, the proposal for release of Rs 7 crore remains pending clearance”, they added.
“Though the Traffic Police personnel stationed at the Command and Control Room of Intelligent Traffic Management System are monitoring the violations of traffic norms through CCTVs installed at the intersections yet the lack of functional traffic signals continues to cause traffic congestions and visible non-adherence to traffic rules at most junctions”, sources further said, adding “in the absence of functional signals even the men in blue deployed at various intersections find it difficult to manage the traffic effectively”.
They added: “The prevailing situation is fraught with the danger of road accidents particularly during peak hours as the lack of automated traffic control has led to congestion and confusion. The risk is especially pronounced at night or during adverse weather conditions when visibility is compromised and the absence of signaling further endangers both motorists and pedestrians”.
When contacted, a senior officer of the Traffic Police in Jammu admitted that the lack of fresh Annual Maintenance Contract has rendered many traffic signals inoperative, adding “in certain areas where traffic signals were functioning smoothly earlier, the situation has deteriorated due to ongoing highway widening works”.
“We hope the Government will understand the urgency and necessity of a fresh AMC without further delay and release Rs 7 crore required so that the contract process can be set into motion”, he further said, adding “the fresh AMC will be for a period of five years”. The officer admitted that due to inoperative traffic signals the cops were facing difficulties in ensuring smooth movement of vehicles at the intersections.
It is pertinent to mention here that AMC for traffic signals typically covers the maintenance and repair of traffic signal infrastructure, ensuring their proper functioning and reliability. This includes regular inspections, preventative maintenance and timely repairs of any malfunctions or damages.
Among the several disadvantages of non-functional traffic signals are increased risk of accidents particularly involving the pedestrians, blocking of intersections especially during peak hours and hindrances in the smooth movement of emergency vehicles like ambulances.
“Every day, we face immense difficulties in crossing Bikram Chowk. Due to the non-functional traffic signal most of motorists violate norms leading to chaos. Even the Traffic Police personnel deployed at intersection find it difficult to manage the situation”, several regular office-goers told EXCELSIOR on telephone. Similar complaints have also been received in respect of other busy intersections of Jammu city highlighting the widespread public inconvenience and traffic mismanagement caused by the prolonged delay in signal repairs.
“Rs 7 crore is not a big amount for the Government especially when the life and safety of the motorists as well as pedestrians are involved”, they said and urged the Government to make the traffic signals functional as early as possible.
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