J&K Motor Vehicle Department Launches Massive Road Safety Drive Across Jammu Division; Over 400 Challans Issued

JAMMU, MARCH 08: Under the direct supervision of Transport Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan, the Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) executed an extensive special enforcement drive across the Jammu Division to bolster road safety and ensure strict adherence to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Spanning multiple districts—including Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Reasi, and Doda—the operation involved the establishment of 24 strategic checkpoints (nakas) where officials inspected a total of 2,494 vehicles.

The intensive crackdown resulted in 445 challans for various infractions and the seizure of 60 vehicles involved in serious offenses. To deter future violations, the department recommended the suspension of 64 driving licenses and 20 registration certificates for grave safety breaches, realizing a total penalty amount of ₹18.18 lakh during the single-day operation.

The district-wise breakdown highlighted a zero-tolerance approach toward common hazards such as overloading, over-speeding, and operating without valid documentation. In Jammu district alone, RTO Jasmeet Singh oversaw the inspection of 400 vehicles, leading to 44 challans and the suspension of five licenses.

Doda recorded the highest financial penalty at ₹4.04 lakh from 89 challans, while significant enforcement actions were also mirrored in Udhampur, Reasi, and Kishtwar. These coordinated efforts, led by Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTOs) and Motor Vehicle Inspectors, aim to curb dangerous driving behaviors and reduce the incidence of road accidents across the region’s challenging terrain.

The Transport Department reiterated its commitment to maintaining discipline on the roads through regular, high-impact enforcement initiatives. By targeting permit violations and technical breaches, the MVD seeks to foster a culture of responsible driving among motorists.

Officials have urged all vehicle owners and drivers to carry valid credentials and strictly follow traffic regulations, warning that such intensive drives will continue as part of a long-term strategy to safeguard the lives of all road users in Jammu and Kashmir.