Traffic jam routine at Panjtirthi Chowk, courtesy Matadors

Tribune News Service

Jammu, March 22

Though all major chowks in the city are facing the problem of traffic jams daily, the Panjtirthi chowk is witnessing worst traffic chaos due to blatant violation of rules by private Matadors plying on the route.

Sources claimed that more than 400 Matadors had been given permits by the Regional Transport Office (RTO) to ply on the route. A majority of the permits in the city had been issued to Matadors plying on the Shastri Nagar-Trikuta Nagar-Panjtirthi route, followed by the Talab Tillo-Canal Road-Panjtirthi, Bakshi Nagar-Panjtirthi route.

They added that earlier all Matadors used to take a U-turn from the last stop at the Panjtirthi chowk, which often resulted in traffic jams for long hours, especially at the time of closing of schools.

The sources said in order to streamline the traffic, all Matadors plying on the route were directed to take a U-turn from the stop where Matadors for the Sidhra route were parked but that did not last long. After a few days, Matadors started taking a U-turn from the same stop creating traffic problems.

“What to talk of driving vehicle on this route, it is impossible to even walk as there is always a heavy rush of Matadors at the chowk. Zonal office of the J&K Police is also at Panjtirthi. Then we have radio station and big educational institutions, both government and private, here,” said Ram Parkash, a shopkeeper at Panjtirthi.

“Even the deployment of traffic police personnel and transport office squad has failed to stop the Matadors drivers from violating the rules. Sometimes, Matadors, school buses, JK Police vehicles, vehicles carrying staff of other government offices are stuck in traffic jams for hours at this small chowk. Not only the traffic police, but also the RTO office requires to take initiatives to deploy their squads to check whether the rules are being followed or not,” Rajesh, a resident of Jain Bazaar, said.

“Clear instructions have been issued to all the drivers on this route to strictly adhere to the rules by taking a U-turn from the specific stop to avoid traffic congestion at the Panjtirthi chowk, but in vain,” he maintained.

“For the convenience of general public, permits have been issued to Matadors to ply on different city routes. They are also apprised of their last stop from where they have to take a U-turn. The issue no doubt is important and we try to make sure that the drivers abide by the instructions,” an RTO official said.