The recent introduction of new traffic rules in Jammu and Kashmir has created a stir among the public, especially among vehicle owners who have opted for aftermarket modifications in their four-wheelers, SUVs, two-wheelers, or other vehicles. The government has made it clear that any kind of modification which alters the vehicle from its original factory specifications is illegal, and accordingly, the traffic police are empowered to penalize violators and even seize such vehicles. The traffic personnel in Jammu have become extremely busy in implementing this order, issuing challans to those drivers who have indulged in vehicle modifications. On the face of it, the step appears to be in the larger interest of public safety and law enforcement. Modifications such as pressure horns, tinted glasses, oversized tyres, altered silencers, or high-beam flood lights not only endanger the safety of the driver but also create inconvenience and nuisance for the general public.
Therefore, it seems justified that the government has tightened its noose around violators and is enforcing these new rules strictly. However, while this move may reflect seriousness towards law enforcement, what remains beyond comprehension for the common man is the absolute disregard of the same government towards the worsening condition of roads in Jammu division, particularly in Jammu city, where potholes outnumber proper patches of blacktopped macadamised road. For the last seven to eight years, people of Jammu have been forced to drive on broken, dilapidated, and neglected stretches of road. From the narrow inner lanes to the main arterial roads, the condition remains dismal. Roads that once acted as lifelines of the city now stand as painful examples of administrative apathy.
The contradiction is glaring: on one hand, the government is quick and proactive in challaning vehicle owners for modifications citing safety reasons, but on the other hand, it is completely negligent in providing safe and motorable roads which is a basic right of the public. The roads are filled with potholes, depressions, and uneven surfaces which not only slow down the traffic but also damage vehicles, leading to increased repair costs for the already burdened public. It is ironic that the same vehicles which the government seeks to keep in factory condition through strict rules are being forced to ply on roads that themselves are far from factory standards.
The plight of the public becomes more evident when one travels through different stretches of the city. From the busy Canal Road towards Jewel Chowk, massive traffic congestion is a daily affair. The potholes and uneven road surface slow down the flow of vehicles, resulting in long snarls that waste precious time and fuel. Similarly, the Amphalla-Janipur-Chinore road, which serves as an important connection for thousands of commuters, witnesses heavy traffic jams every single day. Instead of smooth vehicular movement, one finds chaos, dust, and endless queues of stranded vehicles. For those who live in the interior areas, the condition is even worse. Many inner roads are either broken completely or filled with craters, making them unsafe not only for four-wheelers but also for two-wheelers and pedestrians. Women, children, and elderly persons suffer the most, as commuting becomes a daily struggle rather than a routine. When citizens contact the Public Works Department about this issue, they are met with excuses. The department has often cited lack of sufficient funds as the primary reason for the delay in macadamisation and repair of roads.
But this explanation hardly holds ground. If funds can be allocated to enforce strict traffic regulations, and if the government machinery can spend time and energy in collecting challans from ordinary people, then why is it not possible to allocate adequate resources for something as basic and fundamental as road maintenance? The public perceives this as sheer negligence and misplaced priorities. A road in good condition is not a luxury; it is a necessity for ensuring safety, convenience, and smooth functioning of the economy. Bad roads not only lead to accidents but also add to the wear and tear of vehicles, increase fuel consumption, and cause delays in transport of goods and services. For a city like Jammu which is already under immense pressure due to growing population and rising number of vehicles, neglect of infrastructure only worsens the situation.
The hardships faced by Jammuities due to this administrative indifference cannot be overstated. Every day, commuters spend extra hours stuck in traffic jams, inhaling polluted air and struggling to reach their workplaces or homes on time. School children get delayed, office-goers lose productive time, and emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire tenders often get trapped in the chaos. The mental stress caused by prolonged exposure to traffic snarls has become an unspoken health hazard. Citizens often question whether the government genuinely prioritizes public welfare, or whether it is more interested in collecting fines and projecting an image of strictness in law enforcement without addressing the root problems.
The irony is sharper because the government justifies strict action against vehicle modifications on grounds of public safety, but bad roads themselves are one of the biggest safety hazards. Two-wheelers lose balance on potholes, four-wheelers get damaged suspensions and tyres, and pedestrians risk injury while crossing crumbling road stretches. The statistics of road accidents in Jammu may not always make it to headlines, but every local knows someone who has suffered due to the bad condition of roads. Thus, while modifications in vehicles may be an issue, the far bigger and more dangerous issue lies in the condition of the roads themselves.
The public anger is also compounded by the fact that despite several representations, protests, and complaints, no substantial improvement has been witnessed in the past decade. While occasional patchwork is done to cover up the problem temporarily, proper macadamisation is rarely carried out. In the rainy season, these patches wash away, creating more potholes than before. Dust and mud add to the misery of commuters, and every monsoon transforms the city roads into a nightmare. What the citizens demand is not luxury highways or express roads, but simply durable, motorable roads that can stand the test of time and weather.
They seek transparency in allocation of funds, timely execution of repair works, and accountability of the concerned officials who are entrusted with this responsibility. There is no denying that regulation of traffic and curbing illegal modifications is a positive step, but governance cannot be selective. The same seriousness shown in enforcing rules must also be shown in delivering basic infrastructure. Development is not about punishing people for small violations while ignoring the bigger problems that affect them daily. A citizen who is made to pay fines for minor issues has every right to demand proper facilities in return for the taxes and charges he pays. For Jammu, the real development will begin when the roads are repaired, macadamised, and maintained with dedication, so that the public can travel safely and conveniently without suffering avoidable hardships.
The government must realize that good roads are not merely a convenience; they are the backbone of growth, connectivity, and safety. Until this realization translates into action, the public will continue to suffer the paradox of being penalized for vehicle modifications while being forced to drive those vehicles on roads that are themselves a bigger violation of safety norms. The time has come for authorities to go beyond excuses and take concrete steps to repair, upgrade, and maintain the roads of Jammu. Only then will the people feel that the government’s concern for road safety is genuine and not just a revenue-generating exercise through challans. Jammu deserves better, and the citizens will continue to demand their right to safe and motorable roads until their voices are heard.

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