Work is in progress, we are hopeful that situation will be normal within days: SSP Traffic
Vikas Sharma
JAMMU, Dec 11: A major traffic crisis has gripped Jammu city as most of the traffic signals installed under the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) have been lying non-functional for an extended period.
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What was envisioned as a modern, technology-driven system to streamline vehicular movement across the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) limits has, ironically, become a source of disorder, frustration and daily inconvenience for commuters.
The signals, installed by Jammu Smart City Limited (JSCL), were meant to reduce congestion and enforce traffic discipline. Instead, their failure has triggered a ripple effect of chaos throughout the city.
Long tailbacks and haphazard vehicular movement have become a daily reality at several key junctions, including Vikram Chowk, Jewel Chowk, Asia Crossing, Railway Crossing (Div Com Office), Indira Chowk, Shakuntala Chowk, Vigilance Rotary, Amphalla Chowk, Janipur High Court Road, Valmiki Chowk, Gujjar Nagar Chowk, RBI Turn and Main Stop Gandhi Nagar.
With signals at many of these points completely non-functional, even routine travel has turned into a stressful ordeal.
Irritated and exhausted commuters describe spending hours stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
“Every day I am stuck in traffic jams at Vikram Chowk and Jewel Chowk. They have left us at the mercy of the situation. It’s clear that all the facilities on roads are just for VIPs and politicians, while the common masses are left to suffer,” said Mohinder Jeet Singh, a daily commuter.
Residents argued that the problem has worsened over time, especially as winter has set in with shorter daylight hours.
“The non-functional traffic lights are not only choking these areas but causing ripple effects on adjacent localities as well. With shorter winter days, we reach work very late. The Government as well as the authorities concerned should not sleep on this issue,” remarked Sameer Sharma, another frustrated commuter.
Several office-goers, particularly those crossing the Jewel Chowk corridor, said their work schedules and productivity have been severely affected. Many aruged that the absence of a functioning traffic management system reflects the administration’s lack of urgency and prioritization when it comes to public convenience.
With automated signals out of service, Traffic Police personnel have been forced to manage intersections manually, often under stressful and risky conditions.
Officers can be seen standing for long hours at congested junctions, using hand gestures or even sticks to halt vehicles crossing designated lines.
The manual regulation, however, has its limitations. Peak-hour traffic volume, unruly drivers and encroachments make the situation nearly unmanageable.
Adding to the chaos, commercial vehicles are frequently seen parked haphazardly, even in the middle of busy roads, further shrinking already jam-packed corridors.
This has not only slowed traffic but also created safety hazards for pedestrians and commuters.
In response to mounting concerns, Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police (SSP) Amit Bhasin acknowledged the seriousness of the issue while speaking to Excelsior.
He confirmed that the malfunctioning traffic lights had indeed become a matter of grave concern for both the public and the Traffic Police.
“Whatever be the issue, it has been resolved now and we have started the work to make all these lights functional,” he said.
He further added that with support from other agencies, repair work has already begun and the department is hopeful that all signals will be restored within the next two to three days.
Residents are now watching closely, hoping that the Government will act decisively to prevent such disruptions in the future and ensure that Jammu’s ITMS works as intended for the benefit of all.
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