JAMMU: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Monday chaired a meeting of the Multi-Disciplinary Committee (MDC) on Traffic Management Systems for Jammu and Srinagar, conducting a comprehensive review of ongoing and proposed measures aimed at easing congestion, strengthening road safety, and enhancing mobility in the two capital cities.
The meeting was attended by senior officers from civil and police administrations, including ACS PWD, Principal Secretary Home, Commissioner Secretary H&UDD, Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, IGP Traffic, Secretary Transport, DIGs and SSPs Traffic, Commissioners of the Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations, VC LCMA, and Vice-Chairpersons of JDA and SDA, among others.
The Chief Secretary emphasised that Jammu and Srinagar—being key urban centres and major tourist hubs—require focused and timely interventions to improve commuter experience. He called for the expedited operationalisation of Intelligent Traffic Management Systems (ITMS) and Integrated Traffic Light Systems (ITLS), directing Divisional Commissioners to closely monitor implementation on the ground. He further stressed the importance of resolving bottlenecks after incorporating feedback from citizens and stakeholders.
Divisional Commissioners briefed the meeting on various steps undertaken, including creation of diversions, installation of new traffic signals, establishment of roundabouts, enhancement of parking facilities, demarcation of no-parking zones, identification of dedicated bus stops, enforcing one-way traffic on congested stretches, and adjusting school and college timings. Plans for dedicated corridors for eastern and western minibuses, regulating honking areas, and setting up additional charging points for Smart City electric buses were also highlighted.
Expressing concern over rising traffic violations—particularly lane indiscipline—the Chief Secretary reviewed action taken against 9,204 repeat offenders tracked through e-challans. The Transport Commissioner informed that 600 driving licences had been suspended, with more cases under examination based on violation severity.
IG Traffic outlined measures taken to decongest city roads, including zoning of e-rickshaws, implementation of one-way traffic regimes, and installation of road dividers. Municipal Commissioners of Jammu and Srinagar briefed the Chief Secretary on urban streamlining measures such as designated hawker zones, relocation and rehabilitation of vendors, and ensuring commercial units provide adequate parking.
The Chief Secretary instructed departments to submit detailed, location-specific accounts of field-level progress. He stressed effective traffic management in tourist-heavy areas, highlighting the need for dedicated parking zones and the deployment of small-capacity vehicles in routes where larger buses cause congestion.
Departments also presented updates on projects aimed at expanding road capacity through elevated corridors, flyovers, multi-level parking structures, and encroachment removal. Road safety initiatives—such as establishing no-honking and no-parking zones, constructing medians and dividers, closing unsafe openings, and addressing identified black spots—were also reviewed.
The operational status of the newly procured city bus fleet was discussed, along with planning initiatives from JDA, SDA, and urban local bodies. Other issues deliberated included procurement of enforcement equipment (alcohol meters, breath analysers, speed detection devices, body cameras), manpower requirements, school bus safety audits, shikara and water transport management, and clearing footpaths of encroachments.
Secretary Transport briefed the meeting on capacity-building programmes being undertaken with national institutions to train stakeholders involved in mobility and traffic management.
Reiterating the need for coordinated action among departments, the Chief Secretary said that improved mobility planning is essential for sustainable urban development. He reviewed progress through the e-Samiksha portal and urged officials to continue implementing citizen-centric solutions that lead to visible improvements in traffic conditions in both Jammu and Srinagar.
