news details |
|
|
| Draw ‘roadmap’ for Doda, Kishtwar | | |
The collapse of road linking two remote and mountainous districts of Doda and Kishtwar with National Highway 1A and this rest of the state and country is just another tragic lesson which authorities at the helm of affairs have failed to learn in the past. It is not just caving in of a road but an entire mountain has sunk down taking the road away. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and the Divisional Administration has claimed that there is sufficient availability of essentials in the cut off region and the supply line is being maintained by aircrafts. Certainly the government must be making efforts to keep the people properly fed but it is no lesser a tragedy for thousands of people stranded either side of the washed away stretch of road. Well, it may take a week to ten days to have the communication link restored but here it is another opportunity before the authorities at the helm of affairs to think of making Doda-Kishtwar roads safe and plan some alternate communication links. Road in twin rugged districts of Doda and Kishtwar are already notorious for the accidents that occur their so frequently. Rash driving, poor condition of buses and violation of traffic rules is often blamed for series of accidents on these roads. While these factors may be true but the real culprit is the dangerously vulnerable road network. Most stretch of this road, from Batote to Kishtwar and then onward to Chhatroo runs along the mighty and deep Chenab River and the accidents occurring on these roads have been fatal. Once a passenger bus, or any vehicle slips down, there is no place stopping in between as it rolls down to get immersed in Chenab. In cases of dozens of accidents the vehicles and their scores of passengers are still untraced for years together. This poorly maintained road network has been a cause of worst tragedies for the people of Doda and Kishtwar districts. It is though important to rush in with short term measures –like rescue, relief and supply of essentials –but the government should come up with a clear cut and comprehensive plan on how to avoid the avoidable deaths in Doda region. If the size of roads of widened, particularly the right curves, the vulnerability to accidents can be minimized. One can understand that widening entire road stretch between Batote and Kishtwar can be little difficult and lengthy process but all the curves can be widened so that the vehicle coming from opposite direction can be seen from distance where one can take precautions. Another most important measure, which can be put in place immediately, is taking all the long vehicles off Doda-Kishtwar roads. Only vehicles with shorter lengths can be allowed on these roads which will certainly give ample curve negotiation space to the drivers and minimise the accident rate. Besides all these measures, the government should immediately work out an alternate communication plan linking Doda and Kishtwar to Kashmir, Jammu and Himchal Pradesh. In today’s fast moving world Doda and Kishtwar regions are perhaps the only places which depend on a fair weather road -their communication link to the outer world.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
