Srinagar, Feb 22 (KNO): Over the past eight years, the number of vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir has doubled, resulting in increasingly congested and chaotic roads.
According to recent data accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the region has seen a significant rise in both public and private transport. In 2016, there were 13,65,552 registered vehicles, a number that has surged to 25,67,000 by the end of March 2024- a drastic surge of more than 12 lakh vehicles.
The Motor Vehicles Department has reported substantial revenue growth, achieving Rs 925.12 crore against a target of Rs 915.00 crore during the financial year 2023-24. This period also saw the registration of 1.65 lakh vehicles, alongside the issuance of 11,196 fresh route permits and the renewal of 40,595 existing ones. Additionally, 99,191 fresh driving licenses were issued, with 65,501 licenses renewed. The department also issued 14,963 fresh fitness certificates for commercial vehicles and renewed 93,292 such certificates.
The data highlights a consistent increase in vehicle registrations and related administrative activities over the years. In 2020-21, the department registered 93,366 commercial and 1,12,468 non-commercial vehicles, totalling 1,31,644. By 2021-22, these numbers rose to 18,491 commercial and 1,17,686 non-commercial vehicles, totalling 1,37,177. The trend continued in 2022-23 with 28,657 commercial and 1,36,298 non-commercial vehicles, totalling 1,57,792. By 2023-24, the numbers reached 36,282 commercial and 1,28,095 non-commercial vehicles, totaling 1,62,378.
Revenue targets and achievements also show a positive trend. In 2020-21, the department achieved Rs 821.15 crore against a target of Rs 900.00 crore. The following year, 2021-22, saw an achievement of Rs 628.65 crore against a target of Rs 625.00 crore. In 2022-23, the department achieved Rs 725.03 crore against a target of Rs 800.00 crore. The most recent year, 2023-24, saw the department exceed its target, achieving Rs 925.00 crore against a target of Rs 915.00 crore.
In terms of permits and licenses, the department issued 3,697 fresh permits and renewed 36,364 permits in 2020-21, totalling 40,061. The following year, 2021-22, saw 6,681 fresh permits and 39,311 renewals, totalling 4,992. In 2022-23, the department issued 5,407 fresh permits and renewed 46,496, totalling 51,903. By 2023-24, the numbers rose to 11,105 fresh permits and 40,595 renewals, totalling 51,791.
A senior official of the Road and Transport Department told KNO that the rise in vehicle numbers has put immense pressure on the region's infrastructure, leading to frequent traffic jams and road safety concerns. "We are now faced with the challenge of managing this exponential growth while ensuring the safety and efficiency of the transport system," he said.
The official added, "The roads aren't wide enough in cities and towns. There are concerns about people's safety with road accidents becoming normal. With the sale of the new vehicles, the government has to ensure it wouldn't turn into Frankenstein's monster - out to devour its very own masters."—(KNO)