Overloaded matadors in Jammu: Growing threat to public safety, traffic management
Public transport in Jammu is becoming increasingly dangerous due to overloaded matadors, which are leading to frequent traffic jams and accidents. Despite having traffic monitoring systems, including cameras and personnel on the roads, violations continue unchecked. Citizens and community leaders are raising serious concerns over the issue, urging the authorities to take immediate action before the situation worsens.
R.C. Bali, President of the Janipur Market Association, has strongly criticized the overloading of matadors. He stated that this is one of the primary reasons for traffic congestion and accidents in the city. According to him, if authorities conduct proper checks, they can control the issue. He also appealed to passengers to avoid traveling in overloaded matadors, as doing so puts their lives at risk.
Rajesh Kesari, President Shiv Sena Hindustan, highlighted that there are clear rules regarding the number of passengers allowed in matadors, but operators are constantly violating these regulations. He pointed out that the situation is even worse in rural areas, where people are often seen hanging dangerously from the back of matadors due to a lack of available transport options. This not only endangers their lives but also increases the chances of road accidents, he says.
Sardar Amreek Singh expressed frustration over the lack of strict enforcement by the authorities. He said that even though the traffic system has improved with the installation of CCTV cameras and the presence of traffic police on roads, matador drivers still violate the rules openly. He questioned why authorities remain silent despite clear evidence of violations happening daily.
Vickey Kumar also raised concerns over the reckless behavior of matador drivers. He mentioned that these vehicles do not follow designated stops and operate at their own convenience, causing chaos on the roads. He urged authorities to ensure that matadors follow proper routes and stop only at authorized locations to maintain smooth traffic flow.
Satpal Hindu emphasized that overloading and overspeeding by matadors are leading to serious road accidents and heavy traffic congestion. He pointed out that instead of controlling passenger limits and enforcing speed regulations, authorities seem to be ignoring the problem. He requested the administration to take immediate steps to regulate public transport and ensure strict penalties for violators.
