After the perennial agony of erratic electricity, crippling traffic congestion has emerged as another glaring governance failure in Jammu and Kashmir. What was once an occasional inconvenience has turned into a daily ordeal. Across Srinagar, Anantnag and other urban centres, commuters spend hours trapped in traffic, emergency vehicles struggle to move, students reach late, businesses suffer, and tourists return with memories of congestion instead of Kashmir’s famed tranquillity.
The irony is difficult to ignore. Citizens pay road taxes, toll charges, GST, registration fees and substantial taxes embedded in every litre of fuel. These revenues are meant to build and maintain efficient transport infrastructure. Yet, traffic management remains chaotic, with little evidence of intelligent planning or effective enforcement.
The problem extends beyond the growing number of vehicles. Illegal parking, roadside encroachments, poor lane discipline, malfunctioning intersections and weak traffic policing have combined to overwhelm an already stressed road network. A journey that should take ten minutes often stretches to nearly an hour. The economic cost, measured in lost productivity, wasted fuel and delayed services, continues to rise each day.
The administration’s response has largely remained event driven. Temporary traffic advisories during the Amarnath Yatra or VIP movements cannot substitute for a comprehensive traffic management strategy. Modern cities rely on synchronised traffic signals, scientific road engineering, dedicated parking facilities, pedestrian friendly infrastructure and reliable public transport. These essentials remain inadequate across much of Jammu and Kashmir.
The government must now treat traffic congestion as a governance priority rather than a seasonal inconvenience. Every major bottleneck should be professionally audited. Road projects must be completed without delay. Illegal parking and encroachments should invite strict penalties. Public transport must be strengthened and technology should be deployed to monitor and regulate traffic in real time. Most importantly, revenue collected through transport related taxes and tolls should be transparently invested in improving road infrastructure and traffic systems.
Citizens have fulfilled their responsibility by paying taxes and complying with the law. They deserve roads that are safe, efficient and properly managed. Effective traffic management is not merely an urban convenience. It is essential for public safety, economic growth and preserving the image of a region striving for stability and development. The administration must now deliver results that the people can see and experience.
