Pvt operators overload buses, traffic police fail to act

Tribune News Service

Jammu, October 3

The menace of overloading in passenger vehicles goes unabated in Jammu due to nexus between transporters and some traffic police personnel.

While the crumbling traffic infrastructure due to increasing number of vehicles on roads is leading to daily chaos, operators of commercial vehicles are openly defying the rules.

Despite claims by the traffic police that steps are being taken to streamline traffic in the city but nothing much has been done.

“In the absence of a dedicated public transport system, minibus and bus operators overload their vehicles with passengers for earning more profit. For daily commuters, it is not only frustrating but a harrowing experience. We are risking our lives by travelling in these road beasts not knowing whether they will reach their homes safely,” said Meenakshi Sharma, a university student.

Problem is more in the rural areas where traffic police presence is very little as most of the staff members prefer city areas. Majority of students could be seen hanging out from buses to reach their homes and schools. Jammu district is on the top of the list of 22 districts in the state with 1,407 accidents in 2015, followed by Udhampur with 475 accidents and Srinagar with 435 tragedies on the roads.

“There should be some mechanism to deal with overloading of vehicles by transporters as it is a very dangerous thing and several people have lost their lives. The government should act,” said Rashpaul Singh, a retired government employee.

The Traffic Police Department blames the shortage of manpower for the absence of police personnel at key area, but corruption at various levels within the department is the major reason for traffic mismanagement.