A tragic road accident in Doda on Tuesday claimed five lives, underscoring the persistent danger on the region’s treacherous roads.
The Chenab Valley, encompassing Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban districts, continues to grapple with frequent accidents, with the Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road emerging as a notorious death trap. According to the Union Ministry of Road, Transport, and Highways, Jammu and Kashmir ranks second in India for road accidents per 10,000 vehicles, with over 900 fatalities annually in the last five years. The Chenab Valley, with its mountainous terrain and inadequate infrastructure, accounts for a significant portion of these deaths. Despite repeated assurances from the authorities, the Chenab Valley districts Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban remain particularly vulnerable to road disasters. The mountainous topography of the region undoubtedly makes road-building and maintenance a formidable challenge. Narrow roads carved into cliffs, frequent landslides, sharp curves, and inadequate signage create a perfect storm of danger. But topography alone cannot be an excuse for inaction. Poor road conditions, lack of safety barriers, insufficient lighting, and the absence of timely rescue infrastructure add to the deadly mix. Equally problematic is the enforcement gap overloaded passenger vehicles, untrained drivers, and reckless driving often go unchecked. The Tuesday tragedy in Doda must not be brushed aside as another statistic. It should be a wake-up call for immediate, targeted intervention. Infrastructure development in hilly terrain demands a robust approach one that includes widening of roads, installation of crash barriers, periodic maintenance, and the implementation of intelligent traffic management systems. Furthermore, vehicles plying on these routes must undergo stringent fitness checks, and drivers should be rigorously trained to navigate such hazardous conditions. At the policy level, the administration must invest in a dedicated road safety authority for mountainous regions. Awareness campaigns, better public transport alternatives, and strengthening of the emergency medical response system are crucial. Most importantly, accountability must be fixed both for lapses in road maintenance and for violations of traffic norms. The Chenab Valley is home to thousands of hardworking citizens who travel these roads daily not out of choice, but out of necessity. They deserve safe passage not just prayers and condolences after every accident. Every life lost is not just a statistic, but a shattered family and a community plunged into mourning. The people of Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban deserve roads that connect them to opportunity not roads that lead them to the grave. |
