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| Deaths –anytime, anywhere | | |
Life in the twin mountainous districts of Doda and Kishtwar has been literally reduced to a worst tragedy for half a million people. People in these districts, victims of numerous natural and administrative apathies, have suffered and survived the deep wounds of militancy but they are left to live with the worst –death on roads taking them unawares, anytime, anywhere. Today’s accident on Doda-Bhaderwah road that killed nearly 30 persons was yet another tragedy which appears to have become destiny of the people of this region. Accident occurs there once a week, fortnight or month but the fear psychosis is permanent. Employees, office goers, students or anyone who leaves home in the morning leaves behind a feeling of fear and doubt for rest of the family on whether he returns home safe or not. Jammu and Kashmir recently went through assembly elections and so was the exercise in Doda and Kishtwar districts. There were issues like self rule, autonomy, abrogation of Article 370 and the like but safety on roads was perhaps none’s concern. The local elected representatives, the MLAs, MLCs and MPs owe an answer to the people as what are they doing to avoid killings of dozens of innocent and unsuspecting people every month. Accident is one that happens once on a while but what happens of Doda-Kishtwar roads is a sustained conflict of its kind. Road in twin rugged districts of Doda and Kishtwar are 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.
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