Mohammad Hanief
Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with a deepening road safety crisis, where rising accident figures and worsening traffic congestion have become daily challenges for citizens across the Union Territory. With rapidly expanding cities, a surge in private vehicle ownership, and increasing pressure on limited road infrastructure, commuting has grown more chaotic and unsafe. As the region moves forward with its developmental ambitions, ensuring safer roads and smoother mobility has become one of its most urgent public priorities.
The Union Territory’s distinctive topography, though breathtaking, presents inherent transportation challenges. Winding mountain roads, steep elevations, sharp curves, and unpredictable weather make driving a complex and often dangerous undertaking. Heavy snow in winter, fog during colder months, and landslides in monsoon seasons regularly disrupt road connectivity. Yet, natural conditions tell only part of the story. The rise in road accidents-many of which are avoidable-indicates that systemic issues related to infrastructure, enforcement, and driver behaviour continue to intensify the underlying risks on J&K’s roads.
In the past decade, urban expansion in Srinagar and Jammu has significantly increased the demand for mobility. Both cities have grown into busy commercial, administrative, and educational hubs, attracting thousands of daily commuters. However, the supporting infrastructure has not expanded proportionately. Narrow roads, incomplete expansion projects, and insufficient traffic planning have made daily movement slow and cumbersome. Peak-hour congestion at key intersections in LalChowk, PanthaChowk, Bemina, Rambagh, BikramChowk, Jewel Chowk, Janipur and Gandhi Nagar has become almost routine, often bringing traffic to a standstill.
One of the major contributors to this congestion is the rapid rise in vehicle ownership. With public transport systems still limited in capacity and comfort, residents increasingly rely on private cars and two-wheelers. This shift has dramatically increased the number of vehicles on the road, overwhelming the infrastructure meant for a much smaller population. In many neighbourhoods, multiple family members own personal vehicles-an understandable decision, yet one with significant implications for collective mobility.
Encroachment of road space further compounds the problem. In several markets and commercial streets, footpaths and road shoulders are occupied by street vendors, unauthorized stalls, and parked vehicles. This reduces the usable road width, forcing traffic into a cramped space and resulting in slow movement and frequent minor collisions. The absence of designated parking facilities across both cities drives motorists to occupy any available roadside space, including areas meant for pedestrians and emergency movement.
Alongside infrastructural pressures, behavioural factors continue to pose a grave threat to road safety. Rash driving, lane indiscipline, overspeeding, and disregard for traffic rules have become common. Motorcyclists riding without helmets, drivers ignoring seatbelts, and motorists using mobile phones while driving reflect a concerning indifference to safety. Public transport vehicles, especially minibuses and shared taxis, often stop abruptly in the middle of roads to pick up or drop off passengers, disrupting the flow of traffic and creating dangerous situations for other road users.
The condition of roads in peripheral areas adds another dimension to the crisis. Many rural and mountainous roads lack proper surfacing, signage, reflective markers, and adequate lighting. Potholes, uneven patches, and narrow carriageways increase the likelihood of accidents, especially at night or during bad weather. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, a lifeline for trade and travel, is particularly vulnerable to landslides, rockfalls, and frequent blockages. During harsh weather, travellers often find themselves stranded for hours, highlighting the urgent need for modern engineering interventions and continuous maintenance.
The toll of these challenges is significant. Behind every accident is a personal tragedy-families losing loved ones, breadwinners rendered disabled, and survivors suffering long-term physical and emotional trauma. Beyond the human cost, the economic impact is substantial. Traffic jams waste thousands of productive hours each year, consume vast quantities of fuel, delay transportation of goods, and increase overall costs for businesses and households. For a region dependent on tourism, horticulture, and trade, such delays and disruptions carry broader developmental implications.
Recognizing the seriousness of the situation, the government and local authorities have introduced several measures aimed at improving road safety and easing congestion. Advanced traffic management systems, such as intelligent traffic lights, CCTV surveillance, and digital monitoring of violations, have been installed in key areas to streamline movement and regulate behaviour. The enforcement of the Motor Vehicles Act has been strengthened, with stricter penalties for overspeeding, drunk driving, and violation of safety norms. These steps have led to an increase in challan issuance, signalling a more assertive approach toward curbing dangerous driving habits.
Infrastructure development is also underway, with new flyovers, widened roads, and bypass routes being constructed to ease pressure on congested city centres. Projects such as the JehangirChowk-Rambagh corridor, Bemina bypass improvements, and expansions along the Jammu-Akhnoor road are part of a larger attempt to build long-term solutions. The introduction of electric buses in Srinagar and Jammu represents a step toward modernizing public transport and reducing reliance on older, less efficient minibuses. Such initiatives not only support smoother mobility but also address environmental concerns.
However, despite these interventions, several gaps remain. Enforcement often fluctuates, with periods of strict regulation followed by stretches of leniency, reducing the long-term impact of policies. Infrastructure projects face delays due to administrative, financial, or technical challenges, leaving critical stretches of road incomplete for years. Public transport, while improving, still lacks the scale, reliability, and comfort needed to become a primary alternative for daily commuting. Coordination among agencies-traffic police, municipal authorities, road development departments, and planning bodies-remains inconsistent, leading to fragmented responses to complex challenges.
A sustainable solution requires an integrated approach. Strengthening public transport systems, expanding parking infrastructure, redesigning road layouts, and ensuring consistent maintenance are essential steps. Regular road safety education in schools, awareness campaigns in communities, and involvement of civil society organizations can foster responsible driving habits. Long-term urban mobility planning, including dedicated bus lanes, pedestrian-friendly pathways, better signage, and emergency response mechanisms, can significantly reduce accidents and improve overall traffic movement.
Equally important is the role of citizens. Responsible driving, adherence to traffic rules, disciplined parking, and patience during congestion all contribute to safer roads. Road safety cannot rely solely on the government; it requires a collective commitment from every road user. When individuals prioritize safety-whether by wearing helmets, obeying speed limits, or respecting pedestrian rights-they play a direct role in preventing accidents and saving lives.
As Jammu and Kashmir continues its journey toward modernization and expanded infrastructure, addressing road safety and traffic management must remain at the forefront of planning and policy. A region known for its natural beauty and warm hospitality deserves roads that are safe, efficient, and accessible to all. By combining strong governance, responsible citizens, and long-term planning, J&K can move toward a future where mobility is not a daily struggle but a smooth and secure experience for everyone.
(The author is a senior analyst)
