Rs 1,280 cr toll tax collected; 1,000-km NH constructed since 2019, but highways remain poorly maintained in UT
Arteev Sharma
Jammu: Despite the Centre’s whopping expenditure of over Rs 36,000 crore on the development and maintenance of highways in Jammu and Kashmir since 2020, safety concerns continue to persist with authorities identifying nearly 200 “black spots” (areas notorious for frequent accidents) on highways across the Union Territory.
What is concerning commuters on highways is the focus on “superficial safety measures” rather than comprehensive solutions, especially given the alarming statistics of 28,178 road accidents and 4,287 deaths in the Union Territory between 2018 and 2022. They fear these “cosmetic measures” have failed to address the root causes of accidents.
According to the officials, as many as 200 dangerous “black spots” have been identified on national highways in Jammu and Kashmir and these areas are prone to deadly accidents. Unfortunately, only cosmetic measures have been taken to make these areas accident-free and safer,” officials said.
The recent statistics of the Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has revealed that an amount of Rs 36,324 crore had been spent on the development and maintenance of highways across Jammu and Kashmir from April 2020 to December 31, 2024.
“Despite such a massive expenditure on development and maintenance of highways, the focus has remained on short-term measures including installation of crash barriers, road markings, road studs, delineators, signages and closure of median openings to make black spots accident-free,” sources said.
Sources further said there was a need for long-term measures including improvement of road geometrics, junction improvements, spot widening of carriageway, construction of underpasses/overpasses, etc. for permanent rectification of black spots but the implementation of these measures remained quite slow.
“During the past five years (2019-2023), over 1,000 kilometers of national highways have been constructed in Jammu and Kashmir, with an expenditure of Rs 29,903 crore. Despite this, road safety, particularly in areas prone to fatal accidents, continues to be a significant concern,” sources added.
The statistics have also revealed that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has collected over Rs 1,280 crore as toll tax at fee plazas in Jammu and Kashmir between March 1, 2019 and March 31, 2024. However, the quality of road maintenance in the region has remained a matter of criticism.
Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court on Tuesday ordered the MoRTH, NHAI and J&K government to reduce toll collection on a poorly maintained part of NH-44 and levy only 20 percent of the toll fee with immediate effect at Lakhanpur and Ban toll plazas. The decision would provide relief to commuters, including Vaishno Devi pilgrims.
The Court further ordered not to establish any toll within 60 kms of the National Highway-44. Further, if there is any Toll Plaza in the UT of J&K or in the UT of Ladakh within 60 Kms on the National Highway.
