Years of wait finally came to and end for commuters in the state today when the Traffic Police Department started the process of installing traffic lights to restore some sanity on the chaotic roads of Jammu and Srinagar — the twin capital cities.
The traffic department installed the first traffic signal at the busy Bikram Chowk in the winter capital of the state on “experimental basis” to conduct technical analysis.
“We have asked the lowest bidder to install the traffic lights at Bikram Chowk on experimental basis so that technical analysis can be conducted. We will see if the bidder meets our specifications. We will hold a meeting on February 15 to evaluate the process, which will be completed by March 31,” Inspector General of Police (Traffic) Hemant Kumar Lohia told The Tribune.
The IGP said they had identified 30 points for the installation of traffic signals in Jammu city.
“The installation of traffic signals will be started simultaneously in Srinagar city. The entire process will be completed in a phased manner,” Lohia said.
Official sources said the traffic police had identified around 70 points for the installation of new traffic signals in Srinagar city.
“Once the process is completed, it will reduce the pressure on around 1,000 traffic personnel deputed in the state, as vehicular traffic has assumed alarming proportions in the state,” sources maintained.
Around 70,000 fresh vehicles hit the roads annually in the state. “The number of vehicles is quite high as compared to the road space. In addition to the registered vehicles in the state, around 10 lakh vehicles carrying tourists, pilgrims and security forces enter Jammu and Kashmir annually, adding to traffic chaos,” sources said.
The road length in Jammu city is just 704.22 km and the density of vehicles stands at 574 per km. Srinagar is somewhat better off, with a road length of 1,263 km.
“It is a free-for-all on roads in Jammu, as mini-bus, auto-rickshaws and two-wheelers jostle for space and often indulge in rash driving. You never know from where you are going to get hit,” said Rashmi Gupta, a government teacher.
