PROF. KULDEEP SINGH
JAMMU: Blinking traffic lights at important crossings of City of Temples these days are giving simmering pain to thoughtful Jammuites because these have miserably failed to serve the purpose for which they were installed.
It was the year 2012, when after so many hiccups and controversies important road crossings of twin capital cities of State viz Jammu and Srinagar were finally gifted with traffic lights installed to efficiently manage Temple City’s traffic which stands only next to Japan’s capital Tokyo, known for highest traffic density across Asia.
A total of 30 such signals were installed in this city situated on the banks of River Tawishi at various locations including Satwari Chowk, Gangyal, Green Belt, Main Stop Gandhi Nagar, Bikram Chowk, Jewel, Panama Chowk, Narwal, KC Chowk, Shakuntala Chowk, Rehari, Janipur etc.
Surprisingly, days after installing these lights, many have been set on blinking mode to remind and mock people of this city that their hard earned money has been wastefully drained on a project which was initiated with much fanfare and after conducting tedious surveys involving top firms with gigantic experience and elite professionals.
It is unfortunate that those government agencies viz Jammu Municipal Corporation, Traffic Police and Transport Department which were on loggerheads to claim the responsibility of successful installation of these signaling lights have now been straight away shifting the onus on the shoulders of one another as if they have nothing to do with the matter.
Interacting with STATE TIMES, Treasurer Raghunath Bazaar Traders Association, Amit Kapoor said that traffic lights installation here has added to confusion and chaos instead of smoothening of vehicles’ flow. He said that announcement made by Traffic Police about putting certain traffic lights on blinking mode has diluted the enthusiasm of traffic personnel as well as commuters towards obeying the signals which were still working ardently to streamline the flow of vehicles. “The probability of mishaps have increased manifold with people obeying these signals half heartedly besides on ground traffic personnel also taking things lightly”, he added.
Assistant Executive Engineer Electrical JMC, D. S Salathia when contacted said that all the 30 traffic signal lights were in absolute working condition and the same has been certified by the traffic cops besides JMC has an active contract with the company that readily repairs the edifice as and when required. He informed that it is the Traffic Police which have deliberately kept certain traffic signals on blinking mode for reasons best known to them.
Responding to a query made by STATE TIMES that for how long these defunct traffic lights will keep on blinking, SSP Traffic Jammu, Mohan Lal Kaith said that matter is under active consideration and Traffic Police is working to resolve the issue on war footing adding that very soon many of these blinking lights will again start giving meaningful directions to Jammuites by using their green and red LEDs along with the yellow ones.
As far as Jammuites are concerned they should drive carefully and sensibly singing famous bollywood number ‘Jara Hole Hole Chalo Mere Saajna Hum Bhi Peechhe Hain Tumhare…’
