Growing number of vehicles in J&K increase pressure on roads

The number of vehicles reached 28.83 lakh by the end of the year.

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 28 (STC): Amidst the increasing traffic pressure on the roads, the number of vehicles is continuously increasing in Jammu and Kashmir.
Reports reveal that the total number of registered vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir has increased to 28.83 lakh by the end of the year, while the transport department has earned a revenue of Rs 706.35 crore during the first nine months of the financial year 2025-26.
According to the report quoting official data, a total of 1,47,448 vehicles were registered in Jammu and Kashmir from April to December 2025. Earlier, 1,69,012 vehicles were registered during the financial year 2024-25. These figures indicate a continuous increase in vehicle ownership and use in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the annual data of the transport department, 137,117 vehicles were registered in the financial year 2021-22. This number increased to 157,975 in 2022-23 and 1,65,278 in 2023-24, while 1,69,012 vehicles were registered during the financial year 2024-25.
The vehicles registered in the financial year 2024-25 included 32,981 commercial and 1,36,031 non-commercial vehicles. Similarly, the vehicles registered during April to December 2025 included 27,088 commercial and 1,20,360 non-commercial vehicles. The total number of vehicles registered in Jammu and Kashmir was 22.73 lakh in March 2021, which increased to 27.36 lakh by March 2025. This number further increased to 28.83 lakh at the end of December 2025, reveals the data.
On the revenue front too, the Transport Department has earned a significant revenue over the years. In the financial year 2021-22, the department collected Rs 629.65 crore against the revised target of Rs 625 crore. In the financial year 2022-23, the revenue collection increased to Rs 762.63 crore and in 2023-24, it reached Rs 925 crore.
However, during the financial year 2024-25, the department earned a revenue of Rs 942.22 crore against the set target of Rs 1,430 crore. For the financial year 2025-26, the department has set a target of Rs 1,530 crore, out of which Rs 706.35 crore had been received till December 2025.
The process of issuing and renewing driving licenses by the Transport Department is also underway. During the financial year 2024-25, 98,739 new driving licenses were issued, while 81,857 licenses were renewed. Thus, the total number of issuance and renewal of new licenses was 1,80,596. In the first nine months of the financial year 2025-26, i.e. from April to December 2025, 1,01,191 new driving licenses were issued, while 70,153 licenses were renewed. The total number of new licenses and renewed licenses during this period was 1,71,344.
The department has also released data regarding route permits for passenger and other related vehicles. A total of 33,621 route permits were issued or renewed in the financial year 2024-25, including 12,332 new permits and 21,289 renewed permits. During April to December 2025, 7,466 new route permits were issued, while 10,130 permits were renewed. Thus, the total number of route permits issued and renewed during this period was 17,596.
The Transport Department is also using digital platforms to provide various facilities to the citizens. Services like learner license, driving license, vehicle registration, fitness certificate and renewal of licenses are available through Vahan and Sarathi digital platforms.
The continuous increase in the total number of vehicles and activities related to issuance and renewal of licenses, route permits and fitness certificates reflect the growing administrative reach of the Transport Department in Jammu and Kashmir.
(Straight Talk Communication I Inputs from NNB)