Jammu’s roads today reflect a tale of neglect and misplaced priorities. The so-called Smart City has ironically turned into a city of potholes, with the R&B Department focusing mainly on VIP stretches while most roads remain battered and unsafe. Despite repeated appeals, the authorities continue to function in a reactive mode. Undoubtedly, the monsoon has caused extensive damage to the city’s infrastructure, especially roads. But this is neither new nor unexpected. Every year, rains return, and the same cycle of road damage, repair, and re-damage repeats. It appears that Jammu’s roads are built merely to survive the dry spell till June and then collapse with the first showers. The problem clearly lies in poor construction quality and lack of accountability. When crores of rupees are spent annually, roads should not disintegrate within months. Independent audits must be conducted, and contractors responsible for premature failures should be blacklisted.
Equally serious is the unjust allocation of funds. After the formation of three R&B zones – Jammu, Chenab, and Pir Panjal – money is being divided equally, ignoring the actual road length and load. Jammu Zone, with nearly 7,000 km of roads, receives the same amount as Chenab Zone, with only 2,400 km. This skewed formula has crippled road maintenance. Jammu, which bears the brunt of traffic from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims, Kashmir-bound tourists, and heavy transport towards Rajouri, Poonch, and Doda, needs a special allocation. Its pre-Darbar Move budget of Rs 25-30 crore has now been slashed to less than Rs 10 crore-an unjustified cut given the city’s importance and population load. The absence of contingency funds worsens matters. R&B waits for monsoon damage, prepares reports, and then awaits fund release – an outdated and inefficient process. A permanent emergency fund for road repairs must be created to allow immediate response.
The current road conditions are nothing short of death traps, especially for two-wheelers. Damaged surfaces cause accidents, vehicle breakdowns, and traffic snarls, imposing heavy economic and social costs. Coordination among departments like PHE and JMC is also crucial. Road repair must be declared an emergency civic priority. Work should proceed on a war footing with strict quality control, fair fund allocation, and public accountability. Jammu deserves durable roads, not seasonal patches.
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