Jammu , Jan 14: A committee of officers has proposed development of nearly two dozen road side and multilevel parking lots for jammu city in order to avoid congestion on the roads. However, improving geometry of 10 major junctions, the thrust on which was laid in the City Mobility Plan for winter capital of Union Territory, has yet not received due attention of the concerned authorities.
Vide Government Order No.1541-JK(GAD) dated August 20, 2024, Government constituted a committee comprising Inspector General of Police (Traffic) J&K, Commissioners of Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations, Transport Commissioner J&K and Vice-Chairmen of Jammu and Srinagar Development Authorities for identification of sites/areas for developing parking lots in Jammu and Srinagar cities.
The mandate of the committee of officers was also to ensure that land identified is encumbrance-free and suitable for the purpose, ensure strict compliance of all rules, procedures/guidelines issued by the Government from time to time and to coordinate with the concerned line departments/organizations.
Reliable sources told that the committee has submitted its recommendations to the Housing and Urban Development Department in respect of both the capital cities. “As far as Jammu city is concerned, the committee has proposed development of nearly two dozen road side and multilevel parking lots in order to ease congestion on the roads due to wrong parking of the vehicles”, they informed.
While making recommendations/suggestions, the committee has also kept in mind City Mobility Plan, which was prepared in January 2020 and proposed multilevel parking in Phase-I near DC office, Prem Nagar opposite Maharaja Hari Singh Park currently having surface parking operated by Jammu Development Authority and in Phase-II at Jabah near Bikram Chowk etc, sources further informed.
Moreover, several areas have been identified for road-side parking particularly near the commercial areas which witness high degree of traffic congestion and stress has been laid on efficient use of existing off-street parking spaces as short term parking solution.
“Now, it is to be seen how swiftly the Housing and Urban Development Department acts on the recommendations of the committee of officers so as to provide ample parking spaces for easing out congestion on the roads”, sources said, adding “as far as multilevel parking lots are concerned, the Housing and Urban Development Department will have to arrange funds to pave the way for early start of work on the ground”.
However, another aspect of the City Mobility Plan—augmenting the capacity of existing junctions has yet not received due attention of the concerned authorities, sources said while disclosing that major junctions which cater heavy traffic and face congestion due to poor geometry and absence of traffic control measures were identified long time back.
In the City Mobility Plan, total 10 junctions were identified for geometric improvement in Phase I and 2 critical junctions for grade separation in Phase II. The improvement of these junctions was proposed based on the available data and site visits. However, it was stressed that more detailed plans should be worked out during the detailed study of these locations and additional modifications could be suggested at that stage.
The junctions proposed under Phase-I were Medical Chowk, Panama Chowk, Railway Station Chowk, Indira Chowk, Gole Market Chowk, Amphala Chowk, K C Chowk, Jewel Chowk, Canal Head Chowk and Vivekananda Chowk.
Further, in the City Mobility Plan thrust was laid on establishment of Traffic Engineering Cells within jammu Municipal Corporation, Jammu Development Authority & Traffic Police with qualified and adequate staff such as Traffic Engineers in order to ensure that traffic schemes are properly implemented with better results and fine-tuned later, if necessary. However, this aspect too has not received due attention till date, sources said.
When contacted, an officer said, “we will also look into these aspects of the City Mobility Plan and funds for carrying out necessary works will be proposed in CAPEX Budget”.
