Despite the continuous implementation of road safety plans, portals, and review meetings in Jammu and Kashmir, the ground reality appears to be at odds with administrative claims. Available government data on road accidents raises the question of whether safety measures remain confined to paper.
According to government records, 20,135 road accidents have been reported in Jammu and Kashmir since June 2022, resulting in 3,688 deaths. 29,131 people were injured in these accidents, while a total of 32,819 people were directly affected. This situation raises serious questions about the current road safety framework.
Speeding and Negligence Major Causes
According to official data, nearly 50 percent of road accidents in the state are attributed to speeding and careless driving. Most accidents occurred between 3 p.m. and 9 p.m., highlighting the greater need for monitoring and control during this time period.
National Highways Become Accident Hubs
According to the Integrated Road Accident Database (IRAD) and e-Detail Accident Report (EDAR) portals, most accidents occurred on national highways in Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, Rajouri, and Doda districts. The frequent accidents indicate the need for improvements in road design, safety measures, and traffic management on these routes.
Review Meetings Considered Areas for Improvement
A recent meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo reviewed the road accident situation and safety measures. The meeting emphasized the need to identify black spots through GIS and data-driven technology and implement technical and physical improvements.
The Chief Secretary also sought information on the compliance status of the Supreme Court’s road safety directives and directed all concerned departments to prepare a time-bound action plan.
Challans and Action, Still Questions
According to the Transport Department, 40,197 challans were issued in 2024 and 52,543 challans in 2025, resulting in fines of ₹10.15 crore and ₹15.88 crore, respectively.
In 2025, 1,528 vehicles were seized, 1,641 driving licenses were suspended, 10,439 vehicles were blacklisted, 1,192 registration certificates were cancelled, and 300 route permits were revoked.
Despite this, the number of accidents indicates that preventive measures, along with punitive action, need to be more effective.
A Brief Reference to a Recent Accident
Meanwhile, an army vehicle recently crashed in a road accident in Doda district, killing 10 soldiers. This incident underscores the need for increased vigilance and improved safety measures on sensitive and inaccessible routes.
The question now is whether road safety will remain confined to files and meetings, or whether the administration will take these statistics as a warning and implement concrete changes on the roads.
