 Sanjay Pandita
Early Times Report
Jammu, May 3: Even as the administration has ordered a magisterial inquiry into the tragic road accident in the Kaghot area of Ramnagar in Udhampur district on April 20, several commercial vehicles with an alarming history of traffic violations continue to ply on the hilly routes of the district, raising serious safety concerns.
According to official sources, some of these vehicles have accumulated over 90 challans for offences such as over-speeding and overloading, yet remain operational in accident-prone areas. Allegations have also surfaced that certain officials may be turning a blind eye, allowing these vehicles to operate unchecked and putting passengers’ lives at risk.
The issue came to light after the office of the Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Udhampur, issued show-cause notices to 17 commercial vehicles identified as habitual violators of traffic rules. These vehicles operate on vulnerable routes, including Udhampur–Panchari, Udhampur–Ramnagar–Basantgarh, and Udhampur–Chenani–Latti–Marothi–Krichi.
The notices state that these vehicles have repeatedly violated traffic norms, particularly with regard to overloading and over-speeding, on multiple occasions. In a shocking instance, one s "In a shocking instance, one such vehicle has been challaned as many as 94 times for overloading and other violations, yet continues to operate on these treacherous routes. Habitual offenders appear to have little fear of enforcement."
Officials acknowledged that habitual offenders appear to have little fear of enforcement, with allegations of nexus and influence shielding them from strict action.
Meanwhile, preliminary investigations into the Ramnagar bus tragedy have pointed to rash and negligent driving as the primary cause of the accident. Eyewitnesses reported that the driver of the ill-fated bus was speeding and driving recklessly. He allegedly lost control while negotiating a sharp curve, causing the vehicle to overturn and plunge down a slope.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has stated after the accident that negligence on the part of the bus owner contributed to the accident. He revealed that the regular driver had allegedly handed over the vehicle to a truck driver while on leave, leading to the mishap. The Chief Minister has assured strict action following the completion of the investigation.
The April 20 accident in Kaghot village of Ramnagar tehsil claimed 21 lives and left around 60 others injured, sending shockwaves across the region and once again highlighting glaring lapses in enforcement of road safety norms. | 