Srinagar (Jammu and Kashmir): The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police have issued a total of 7,20,979 challans in the first six months of 2024. J&K traffic police data, accessed by ETV Bharat, shows a significant rise in traffic enforcement compared to previous years, with the Rural Kashmir unit leading in the number of challans issued while the National Highway (NHW) Ramban unit registered the least.
According to the monthly breakdown of the data, January 2024 saw 1,25,253 challans issued, with Rural Kashmir recording the highest at 37,883, and NHW Ramban the lowest at 7,738. In February, the total number of challans decreased to 1,11,042, but Srinagar City topped the list with 33,834 challans, while NHW Ramban issued only 6,405.
March witnessed an increase to 1,22,133 challans, with Rural Kashmir reaching 40,410, the highest for the month. NHW Ramban continued to have the fewest with 7,228 challans. April saw a slight drop to 1,12,870 challans, with Rural Kashmir again topping the list with 40,689 and NHW Ramban continuing at the last with 7,007 challans.
May recorded the highest number of challans for the first half of the year, totaling 1,41,544. Jammu city led with 41,816, while NHW Ramban issued 9,972. In June, the total challans issued fell to 1,08,137, with Srinagar city topping at 33,039 and NHW Ramban at 7,448.
District-wise, Srinagar city issued a total of 1,98,710 challans in the first six months, with January being the highest month at 36,461 and April the lowest at 27,316. Rural Kashmir issued a total of 2,14,209 challans, peaking in March with 40,410 and dropping in June to 25,556. Jammu city issued 1,84,651 challans, with May being the highest at 41,816 and February the lowest at 29,102. Rural Jammu issued 77,611 challans, with May recording 14,892 and April 12,147. NHW Ramban issued the least overall with 45,798 challans, highest in May at 9,972 and lowest in April at 7,007.
In comparison, 2023 saw the Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police issuing a total of 13,72,501 challans. This included 4,28,609 compound challans and 9,43,892 court challans. Srinagar led with 4,88,167 challans, including 3,44,989 court challans, while NHW Ramban had the least with 94,801 challans, including 35,648 court challans.
A senior police official commented on the increase, saying, "The rise in challans is a direct result of our intensified efforts to ensure road safety and compliance with traffic regulations. We are committed to reducing accidents and making our roads safer for everyone."
The official also highlighted the challenges faced by the traffic police, especially in remote areas. "While the numbers in rural (Jammu) and highway areas are lower, it reflects the challenges we face in those regions. We are working on strategies to improve our presence and enforcement in such areas," he added.
- Read more: Jammu-Srinagar highway blocked due to road repairs in Ramban
- Telangana govt announces up to 90 percent waiver on pending traffic challans
