Road accidents is one of the main causes of death in the Chenab region. Every year we have about 30 to 40 major road accidents in this region with maximum fatalities. Accidents on these roads are usually fatal, with little chance of someone emerging alive. The expanding population, numerous deadlines to meet, urgency to reach to neighboring cities before office timings set in, and unfenced hairpin bends all contributed to these accidents. Incidentally, the number of roads in this region has remained the same as during the Dogra rule, and many roads are still not blacktopped. The absence of street lights is also one of the main reasons of these accidents.
Coming to the Kashmir valley, the number of road accidents is on a phenomenal rise. Especially when it comes to holy occasions and holy months. People just want to reach home ahead of everyone else. There is a mad rush on the roads and everyone feels superior to the other. With every passing day, fewer people are inclined to use public transport, and in every family, it is common to see more than one family member owning a car. There are families which have more vehicles than the actual family members.
Accidents also occur because the countryside workforce whether in government or non-government sectors have to reach their hometowns in the evening. The roads they take do not have a semblance of traffic lights and mostly the accidents are caused by trucks and other commercial vehicles running with an equally incurable hurry.
Kashmir Valley desperately needs more roads. Big, wider roads. It needs them now and in fact, needs them like oxygen. There is a wormhole that can help us sail through this. This work hole is improving public transport and inspiring people to take that public transport. With the introduction of e-buses, we hope that people would cultivate a culture of using public transport as a means of commute which would effectively mean a lesser number of cars and motorbikes on roads and consequently lesser chances of accidents.
We hope things change for the better. And that they change soon.
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