October 17, 2026 – Taking decisive steps to resolve the chronic issue of urban congestion, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo chaired a high-level meeting of the Multi-Disciplinary Committee (MDC) on Traffic Management on Friday. The objective was to review the implementation of a comprehensive, multi-pronged action plan aimed at easing traffic congestion, enhancing urban mobility, and fortifying road safety across the twin capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar.
The exhaustive review assessed the progress of several inter-departmental interventions and evaluated the Action Taken Report based on the recommendations of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCCoRS). The discussions spanned across crucial sectors including traffic regulation, smart parking management, public transport efficiency, road infrastructure, enforcement mechanisms, and swift assistance to road accident victims.
Stressing the need for coordinated, outcome-oriented efforts, the Chief Secretary directed both the Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations to conduct regular inspections to ensure adequate traffic signages are installed across the cities. He further instructed the Divisional Commissioners to rigorously monitor these upgrades.
Highlighting a data-driven approach, Dulloo urged the Traffic Department to thoroughly analyze data from the electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) portal. By identifying accident-prone hotspots and time-specific risks, traffic personnel can be strategically deployed to enforce rules and significantly reduce road mishaps. Furthermore, he called for augmenting the Transport Department’s capacity to conduct strict, comprehensive safety audits of heavy passenger vehicles, placing special emphasis on school buses.
Addressing the severe lack of parking, the Chief Secretary underscored the urgent need to designate additional on-street parking spaces and aggressively implement the overarching parking policy by creating new parking lots across UT urban centers.
On the technological front, Dulloo reviewed the functioning of the Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS). He directed authorities to upgrade the existing system by incorporating advanced Facial Recognition System (FRS) capabilities in both cities, aimed at strengthening law enforcement and providing a greater sense of security to commuters. Additionally, he emphasized establishing an effective grievance redressal mechanism under the PM-RAHAT scheme to ensure immediate medical treatment for all road accident victims.
During the meeting, ACS Public Works Department Anil Kumar Singh presented video walkthroughs of proposed elevated corridors and road-widening projects for both cities. Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, detailed the decongestion initiatives, ITMS-enabled junctions, e-charging stations, and blackspot rectifications currently underway in Srinagar. Commissioner Secretary H&UDD, Mandeep Kaur, outlined urban local body interventions to streamline public transport and develop organized vending zones.
The high-level committee also reviewed the operationalization of the Road Accident Victim Fund, integration of the e-Courts and i-RAD systems, and the current status of trauma-care facilities across J&K.
Published by True Roots Media Network