Jammu and Kashmir Road Safety Crisis: 3,700 Fatalities Reported Since June 2022
JAMMU, JANUARY 22, 2026: A grim statistical report presented in a high-level meeting today revealed that Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed nearly 3,700 deaths and over 29,000 injuries in more than 20,000 road accidents since June 2022.
Chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo to review Supreme Court-mandated road safety measures, the meeting highlighted that the majority of these tragedies occurred on major highways and within the districts of Jammu, Kathua, Udhampur, and Rajouri.
Transport Department Secretary Avny Lavasa briefed the chair that data from the i-RAD (Integrated Road Accident Database) portal indicates that most accidents occur between 3 PM and 9 PM, with rash driving and over-speeding contributing to nearly 50% of all mishaps reported in 2025.In response to the alarming figures, Chief Secretary Dulloo underscored the urgent need for GIS-based data to pinpoint vulnerable, accident-prone stretches, particularly in hilly regions, to allow for targeted technological and engineering interventions.
The meeting also shed light on intensified enforcement efforts; fines collected for traffic violations surged from ₹85.16 crore in 2023 to ₹145.12 crore in 2025, with over 1.4 million e-challans issued in the last year alone. Major violations cited included riding without helmets, mobile phone usage while driving, and speeding. In 2025, authorities seized 15,947 vehicles and suspended 1,641 driving licenses to deter habitual offenders.
To address the infrastructure side of the crisis, the Chief Secretary directed the NHAI, PWD, and Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to expedite the removal of identified “black spots”—sections of road where accidents are historically concentrated. The administration is also prioritizing the installation of safety signage and speed-limiting devices in school buses.
By leveraging real-time traffic data and strictly enforcing punitive measures, the government aims to create a deterrent effect and significantly reduce the casualty rate on the Union Territory’s roads.