Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 2: Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, BJP State spokesperson on Kashmir Affairs today said that the quality roads and proper enforcement of traffic rules can bring a sea change in the accident scenario in the State.
In a statement issued here, today he said over the last six months, the number of accidents taking place in various parts of the State are consuming a large number of people unfortunately and making the injured ones a lifelong issue of physical and mental concern. The yesterday’s fatal accident in the Kishtwar district is one more in the series of such unfortunate events, he added.
Chrungoo said that during his tour to various far flung of the State, it was observed that the road connectivity is far from satisfactory. Roads particularly in far -flung areas are not only neglected but the vagaries of weather have also been cruel to them. The administration and specifically the departments responsible for maintenance of roads were found wanting. Widening of roads, de-macadamization and upkeep were taken up with the Chief Engineers of the PWD in both the regions and the Commissioner Secretary, PWD was also apprised of the situation, he added.
He said the district authorities should make periodical visits to interior areas and check road connectivity at regular intervals. The administrative traditions of follow up at different tiers of governance have since been given a go bye due on one pretext or the other. He stressed that a special drive to make an assessment and evaluation of the roads by the authorities on priority.
He urged the traffic authorities to gear up and make it sure that the vehicles are not allowed overload and public transport are regularly checked and updated technically. In far flung areas, it is a common practice to allow driving by every Tom, Dick and Harry. Such a situation coupled with rash driving and overloading especially on roof tops of the mini buses especially in hilly areas is alarming. Even minors are allowed to drive public transport vehicles by the owners and the life of the commuters is put to heavy risk, he added.
Chrungoo maintained that Nakka parties police and the Traffic Police should not be taken casually to bring a perceptible improvement in the traffic scenario.
The Health Department also needs to guide the Primary Health Centres and the Sub District Hospitals to train its staff for emergency situations roads as well as highways. There cannot be two opinions about the fact that the State lacks the modern techniques of traffic management in consonance with the acute emergency situation on roads, both in urban as well as in rural areas. The priorities need to be redefined keeping in view the public safety, he added.
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