Expresses deep concern over rising road fatalities in J&K
DH NEWS SERVICE
jammu, Mar 16
Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Kavinder Gupta has raised serious concerns over the alarming number of road accidents and fatalities in Jammu and Kashmir, emphasizing the urgent need for robust safety measures and strict enforcement of traffic regulations.
Notably, nearly 30 passengers were injured when their mini-bus turned turtle on a hilly road in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Expressing shock over the data reflecting the rising toll of road mishaps, Kavinder pointed out that in 2022, a total of 6,092 road accidents were reported in the Union Territory, leading to 805 fatalities, whereas in 2023, the number further escalated to 6,298 accidents, claiming 893 lives. He stressed that the increasing trend is deeply worrisome and demands immediate intervention. Welcoming the J&K Government’s initiative to introduce the new Jammu and Kashmir Road Safety Policy 2025, Kavinder underscored that mere policy formulation is not enough. He called for its effective implementation with stringent accountability mechanisms. He urged the authorities to ensure proper road infrastructure, timely identification, and rectification of accident-prone areas, alongside holding defaulting contractors and consultants accountable for substandard road construction and maintenance.
Highlighting that 40% of accidents occur in the districts of Jammu, Udhampur, Samba, and Kathua, the senior BJP leader insisted on prioritizing preventive measures such as enhanced road engineering, better signage, speed regulation, and stricter monitoring by traffic enforcement agencies. He further advocated for public awareness campaigns to educate citizens on road safety and the consequences of reckless driving.
The former deputy Chief Minister also called for greater involvement of local bodies, traffic police, and civil society in implementing road safety measures effectively. He urged the administration to work in mission mode to achieve the goal of reducing road accidents and fatalities by 50% by 2030. He assured that BJP Government at the Centre will continue to push for enhanced safety measures and infrastructural improvements to safeguard the lives of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
