.Reuters

The electronic traffic enforcement network in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is detecting traffic violations in large numbers, but the recovery of fines remains poor, as residents appear to be taking e-challans lightly.

In Jammu and Srinagar combined, the Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS) generated more than 2.79 lakh e-challans between January and July 2026, involving fines of Rs 30.70 crore. However, only about Rs 1.23 crore has been realised so far.

The figures were presented at a meeting of the Multi-Disciplinary Committee (MDC) on Traffic Management, chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. The meeting reviewed the action plan to ease congestion and improve road safety in the twin cities.

In Jammu, the system generated 1,75,384 e-challans involving fines of Rs 20.20 crore. Of these, 11,467 were disposed of, and Rs 1.04 crore was realised.

Similarly, Srinagar recorded 1,04,311 e-challans involving fines of Rs 10.50 crore. Only 3,210 were disposed of, resulting in the recovery of Rs 0.19 crore.

The figures indicate that roughly 6.5 per cent of the e-challans issued in Jammu had been disposed of, compared with about 3 per cent in Srinagar. In monetary terms, Jammu recovered around 5 per cent of the fines imposed, while Srinagar recovered less than 2 per cent.

Reuters

Taking note of the system's functioning, the Chief Secretary called for upgrading the ITMS with Facial Recognition System (FRS) capabilities in both cities to strengthen enforcement and enhance commuters' sense of safety. The meeting also reviewed the integration of ITMS, the electronic Detailed Accident Report (e-DAR) portal, e-Courts and the Integrated Road Accident Database (i-RAD) under the framework of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCCoRS).

The Transport Department informed the meeting that it had cancelled 68,000 vehicle registration certificates for repeated violations. It has also utilised the Road Accident Victim Fund and is implementing the PM-RAHAT scheme to provide assistance to accident victims requiring medical treatment.

Of the Rs 18.14 crore allocated under road safety funds since 2021, Rs 13.83 crore has been utilised to procure enforcement equipment. This includes 685 body-worn cameras, 19 interceptor vehicles, 16 high-patrol vehicles, 23 cranes and 36 breath-alcohol analysers. A supply order has also been issued through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for 30 containerised traffic booths at a cost of Rs 103.50 lakh.

The Chief Secretary directed the Traffic Department to analyse data available on the e-DAR portal to identify accident-prone locations and time-specific traffic risks. He stressed that traffic personnel should be deployed according to the identified hotspots and blackspots to improve enforcement and reduce road accidents.

lIANS

In Srinagar, an Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR)-based system monitors 300 parking spaces across key commercial areas, including M.A. Road, Lal Chowk and Residency Road. In Jammu, 17 roadside parking sites have been identified, of which three are functional. No-honking zones have been mapped at 29 institutional locations in Jammu and 12 in Srinagar.

The Chief Secretary stressed that systematic parking management, effective enforcement, safer roads and timely emergency response must remain central to making urban travel safer and smoother.

The meeting also reviewed the Action Taken Report on the recommendations of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, besides assessing the progress of various inter-departmental initiatives relating to traffic regulation, parking management, public transport, road infrastructure, enforcement and assistance to road accident victims.

Emphasising the need for coordinated and result-oriented efforts, the Chief Secretary directed the concerned Municipal Corporations to conduct regular inspections to assess the installation and adequacy of traffic signage at various locations across both cities. He asked the respective Divisional Commissioners to closely monitor progress and ensure the timely rectification of deficiencies.

He also directed the Traffic Department to analyse data available on the e-DAR portal to identify accident-prone locations and time-specific traffic risks. The deployment of traffic personnel, he stressed, should be aligned with the identified hotspots and blackspots to strengthen enforcement and substantially reduce road accidents.

The Chief Secretary further called for a proposal to augment the Transport Department's capacity to conduct comprehensive safety audits of heavy passenger vehicles operating across Jammu and Kashmir, with particular emphasis on school buses.