Traffic enforcement in Srinagar, Jammu cannot succeed on challans alone

Ziraat Times Editorial Board

The generation of 2.79 lakh traffic e-challans involving penalties of Rs 30.70 crore in Jammu and Srinagar between January and July 2026, against recoveries of just Rs 1.23 crore, raises some basic questions about the effectiveness, fairness and credibility of traffic enforcement in Jammu & Kashmir.

Only around 5.2 per cent of the challans were disposed of, while the amount realised was barely four per cent of the penalties imposed. These figures, presented at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, have generated a debate among common citizens, who call for an honest assessment of why the system is failing to translate violations into compliance.

Is this low rate of realisation primarily the result of weak enforcement? Does the Traffic Department have sufficient personnel and technology-backed systems to pursue violations and ensure timely disposal of challans? Are existing traffic laws ambiguous, outdated or procedurally deficient, making some penalties difficult to sustain under legal scrutiny? Or has public confidence suffered because citizens believe the rules are not applied uniformly?

The last question deserves particular attention. Ordinary motorists may feel that they face the full consequences of violations while influential individuals can escape meaningful accountability, sometimes by paying a challan without any lasting change in behaviour. Whether this perception is fully justified or not, authorities must address it through transparent, consistent and publicly verifiable enforcement. No vehicle owner should be above the law.

At the same time, enforcement cannot substitute for sound urban planning. Jammu and Srinagar need clearly defined and publicly marked parking spaces, unambiguous rules governing roadside stoppages, loading and unloading, passenger pick-up and drop-off, and restrictions on obstructing pedestrian movement. Motorists must know precisely where they can park, where they can stop briefly and where stopping is prohibited.

Parking charges also require urgent review. The charges at some smart-city parking facilities are excessively high and risk making organised parking unaffordable for ordinary citizens. Reasonable, transparent and proportionate rates would encourage motorists to use designated facilities instead of leaving vehicles on roadsides. Parking infrastructure must serve the public, not become a deterrent through exorbitant pricing.

The government should publish periodic data on challans issued, contested, disposed of and recovered, along with the outcomes of appeals. It must also assess staffing, legal procedures and enforcement consistency.

Traffic discipline cannot be imposed through penalties alone. It requires clear laws, affordable alternatives, adequate personnel and the assurance that the same rules apply to everyone. Without these foundations, more challans may generate impressive figures without making our cities safer or less congested.