JAMMU, Jun 15: Mission Statehood Jammu and Kashmir President Sunil Dimple led a strong protest rally on Monday against the growing traffic congestion in Jammu city, particularly along the Amphalla-New Plot-Janipur High Court Road. The protest witnessed the participation of hundreds of traders, market association representatives, residents, and citizens from Amphalla, New Plot, Talli Morh, Old Janipur, Main Stop Janipur, Roop Nagar and Bantalab.
The protesters expressed deep concern over the worsening traffic situation and alleged that government agencies had failed to address the long-pending issue. Raising slogans against the administration, they demanded the construction of an exclusive circular ring road connecting Amphalla, Manda, Janipur High Court Road, Lakkar Mandi, Roop Nagar, Bantalab and extending up to Akhnoor. They also called for the introduction of a metro rail service from Manda through Roop Nagar to Akhnoor to ease traffic pressure and improve urban connectivity.
Addressing the gathering, Sunil Dimple said that for the past two decades, he and his organization have repeatedly submitted a comprehensive proposal to the Jammu and Kashmir government for the construction of a ring road and metro service. He claimed that the proposed project could be implemented at a comparatively low cost, without causing major displacement or requiring compensation for local residents and traders.
Dimple appealed to the media to highlight the demand, stating that the proposed ring road would provide a permanent solution to traffic congestion while safeguarding the interests of traders and residents who have been living and conducting business in these areas for decades.
He further urged the government to initiate dialogue with traders, residents and all stakeholders before approving any project that could adversely affect public interests. According to him, meaningful consultations are necessary to develop a practical and people-friendly traffic management plan for the Janipur High Court Road corridor.
Criticizing the civic authorities, Dimple alleged that the Jammu Municipal Corporation frequently removes goods belonging to traders, adversely affecting their livelihoods. He also highlighted the poor condition of the Amphalla-New Plot-Talli Morh-Janipur High Court Road, describing it as one of the city’s most important routes used daily by residents, lawyers, litigants and even judges.
Among those who participated in the protest were Dev Raj, Ashu Sharma, Mukesh Gupta, Vipan, Babu, Rakesh Sharma, Ram Kumar Das, Mohinder Gupta, Pt. Pawan Sharma, Satwant Singh, Nazir, Jagdish Gupta, Vinay Agarwal, Abhishek Khajuria, Happy Gupta, Reshi Baba, Papu Virdi, Vijay Virdi and several other prominent citizens and traders.