• By Abid Bashir
• Comments 0
• 31 Mar 2026

Road to Recovery: Technology, enforcement drive down road accidents in J&K

5,287 accidents in 2025 down from 6,120 in 2023 100% e-challaning, ITMS expansion credited Rs 11.53 crore released under Road Accident Victim Fund

Srinagar, Mar 30: In a significant indicator of improving road safety, the Jammu & Kashmir government has reported a consistent decline in traffic accidents over the past three years, attributing the trend to intensified enforcement, technological interventions and widespread awareness campaigns. Replying to a question tabled by National Conference MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar, the Minister for Transport Satish Sharma stated that road accidents in the Union Territory have dropped from 6,120 in 2023 to 5,726 in 2024, and further to 5,287 in 2025, reflecting a sustained downward trajectory despite rising vehicular density. The figures, officials say, are not just statistics but signs of a system slowly recalibrating itself towards safety and accountability. The government rejected concerns over ineffective measures, asserting that “no encouraging results” is not a correct assessment, and instead highlighted a series of targeted interventions that have begun to yield visible outcomes. From highways to city streets, a multi-pronged safety drive has been steadily expanding its footprint. Authorities said over 10,000 road safety awareness programmes were conducted annually, taking the message of responsible driving deep into communities. These efforts have been reinforced by regular health and eye check-ups of drivers, along with first-aid and emergency response training that aim to build a quicker and more effective response system in the aftermath of accidents. Strengthened Good Samaritan initiatives and cashless treatment

schemes have further added a humane dimension to the safety framework. Institutional monitoring, too, has been tightened. In 2025 alone, 4,545 school buses were audited, with defects identified in 472 vehicles and subsequently rectified, ensuring safer travel for thousands of students. Driving training schools have also come under sharper scrutiny, with notices issued to non-compliant centres, reflecting a broader attempt to fix systemic gaps. At the heart of this transformation lies a decisive shift towards technology-driven enforcement. The government confirmed 100 per cent e-challaning, with enforcement agencies booking over 52,000 violations in 2025, a sharp increase from the previous year. Officials view this not as a sign of rising violations, but as evidence of stronger surveillance and improved compliance mechanisms. Advanced surveillance infrastructure under the Smart City Mission—such as Intelligent Traffic Management Systems (ITMS)—is already operational in Srinagar and Jammu, bringing real-time monitoring and automated enforcement to busy urban corridors. A ₹107.32 crore proposal is now in the pipeline to expand this digital safety net across 25 junctions and 188 corridors in the rest of the Union Territory. On the ground, enforcement agencies have been equipped with modern tools, including interceptor vehicles, highway patrol units, breath alcohol analysers, and body-worn cameras, ensuring that enforcement is both visible and effective. The policy framework has also kept pace with these changes. The UT has revised its

Road Safety Policy in 2025, aligning it with national standards and incorporating recommendations of the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety. Road safety audits have been made mandatory for all new road projects, while existing roads are undergoing periodic checks to eliminate engineering defects that often lie at the root of accidents. Even as prevention remains the primary focus, the government has expanded its support system for victims through the Road Accident Victim Fund (RAVF). Over Rs 11.53 crore has been released to districts, out of which Rs 9.14 crore has already been utilised, providing timely financial assistance to victims and their families. Compensation under the scheme includes Rs 1 lakh in case of death, Rs 75,000 for permanent disability, Rs 50,000 for grievous injuries and Rs 10,000 for minor injuries. Districts like Jammu, Doda, and Rajouri have recorded significant fund utilisation, reflecting both the scale of incidents and the responsiveness of the system. While the decline in accidents signals progress, officials stress that the journey towards safer roads is far from complete. Sustained vigilance, better infrastructure, and active public cooperation will remain critical in further reducing fatalities. For now, however, the road ahead appears clearer than before. With enforcement tightening, technology expanding, and policy frameworks evolving, Jammu and Kashmir is steadily steering towards safer roads—one intervention at a time.