Cops up the ante against traffic violators in Jammu

Tribune News Service

Jammu, November 10

Residents have questioned ‘aggressive’ approach adopted by the J&K traffic police in the winter capital. The police have upped the ante against drivers who park their vehicles in no parking zone. Residents rue that the civic body has failed to provide adequate number of parking lots.

Since the new Motor Vehicles Act was passed by the Central Government, the police have launched a drive to streamline traffic in Jammu.

Heated arguments often take place between drivers and the police personnel at SMGS Hospital over parking issues. People said banks and other commercial institutions should first be asked to establish parking spaces for customers. “The Traffic police and administration should answer why banks and other commercial institutions are allowed to function without parking lots. Who gives them permission to run business from residential areas? We have to park vehicles on the road because there is no parking space. Same is case with hospitals, which have very limited space,” said Mohit Sharma, a resident of Sarwal. According to estimate, there are more than 2 lakh vehicles plying on in Jammu’s civic body limit. Number of vehicles double after Durbar move, but during the past four decades, the Municipal Corporation and Jammu Development Authority (JDA) has developed parking space for just 2,000 vehicles.

“The Jammu Development Authority should develop more parking lots in the city. They should be held responsible. Traffic cops do not listen to our problems and behave rudely,” said Kuleep Raj Sharma, a resident of Panjthirthi.

It is a similar story in various markets, including Residency Road, Jain Bazar, Panjtirthi, Gumat Chowk, Parade Shalamar, Purani Mandi, Raghunath Bazar, BC Road, High Court Road, Gandhi Nagar and Canal Road, among others.

Clash between residents, cops

Since the new Motor Vehicles Act was passed by the Central Government, the police have launched a drive to streamline traffic in Jammu. Heated arguments often take place between drivers and the police personnel at SMGS Hospital over parking issues. People said banks and other commercial institutions should first be asked to establish parking spaces for customers.