Srinagar, Mar 30 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday said that road accidents in the Union Territory have shown a declining trend over the past three years due to effective implementation of road safety measures.
Replying to an un-starred question tabled by MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar, the Transport Department, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), informed that the number of road accidents has decreased from 6,120 in 2023 to 5,726 in 2024 and further to 5,287 in 2025.
The government said multiple road safety initiatives were undertaken, including 10,698 awareness programmes in 2024 and 10,145 in 2025. Health and eye check-ups of drivers and conductors stood at 374 in 2024 and 394 in 2025, while first-aid and emergency response trainings were 87 in 2024 and 33 in 2025. Under Good Samaritan and accident victim schemes, 1,379 beneficiaries were covered in 2024 and 1,495 in 2025.
It further said that school buses and driving training schools are being regularly audited. In 2025, out of 6,271 registered school buses, 4,545 were audited, 472 were found defective, and 450 defects were rectified. Similarly, out of 141 driving training schools, 102 were inspected, 39 were found non-functional, 81 operating as per norms, and notices were served to 21.
The government said Speed Limiting Devices are being ensured at the time of vehicle fitness. It added that the Road Safety Policy, initially notified in 2016, was revised in 2025 in line with national parameters and shared with all stakeholders for implementation.
Giving details of enforcement infrastructure, the government said various equipment have been procured, including 213 motorcycles (Pulsar), 69 Royal Enfield bikes, 19 interceptor vehicles, 16 highway patrol vehicles, 23 cranes, 685 body-worn cameras, 1,625 night safety belts, 560 iron barricades, 687 LED traffic batons, 687 safety jackets, 437 movable barricades, 231 fixed barricades, 562 traffic cones sets, 64 breath analysers and 100 first responder kits.
The Transport Department said enforcement agencies have shifted to a 100 per cent e-challan system. In 2024, a total of 40,197 challans were issued, 429 vehicles seized, 2,259 driving licences suspended, 6,340 vehicles blacklisted, 1,040 RCs cancelled, and 173 route permits cancelled. In 2025, challans increased to 52,543, with 1,528 vehicles seized, 1,641 licences suspended, 10,439 vehicles blacklisted, 1,192 RCs cancelled and 300 route permits cancelled.
To ensure the sale of standardised helmets, the Legal Metrology Department inspected 218 sellers, booked 69 cases and seized 4,750 helmets.
The government further said Intelligent Traffic Management Systems (ITMS) have been installed in Jammu and Srinagar under the Smart City Mission, while a similar project costing Rs 107.32 crore, along with Rs 21.46 crore for five-year O&M, has been proposed for the rest of J&K covering 25 junctions and 188 corridors.
It said road safety audits have been made mandatory in DPRs of new roads and are also conducted periodically on existing roads to remove engineering defects.
The government also informed that compensation is being provided under the Road Accident Victim Fund (RAVF), with Rs 1 lakh awarded in case of death, Rs 75,000 for permanent disability, Rs 50,000 for grievous injuries and Rs 10,000 for minor injuries.
Providing district-wise details, the government said a total of Rs 1,153.10 lakh has been released to districts, out of which Rs 914.90 lakh has been utilised, leaving a balance of Rs 238.20 lakh. Major allocations include Rs 204 lakh to Jammu, Rs 135 lakh to Doda, Rs 134 lakh to Kishtwar and Rs 111 lakh to Rajouri, among others.
Overall, total funds received under RAVF stand at Rs 1,226.10 lakh, while Rs 1,153.10 lakh have been released to RTOs/ARTOs, leaving an available balance of Rs 73 lakh—(KNO)