Masoodi raises rising frequency of fatal accidents in JK
Seeks immediate up gradation of Ramban-Qazigund stretch
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference senior leader Member of Parliament from Anantnag Constituency, Hasnain Masoodi on Tuesday sought immediate attention of the government towards upgrading the National Highway connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the country.
Masoodi while speaking in the parliament over the issue of increasing frequency of fatal accidents in the state also pointed out to recent tragic accidents in Kishtwar and Shopian resulting in the loss of over forty precious lives.
“Unfortunately the main arterials of our state have turned into death trap for commuters. There has been a scathing increase in the occurrence of accidents in the region,” Masoodi said.
Seeking reply from the Government of India on the increasing incidence of accidents Masoodi said, “I would like to be acquainted as to what the government is doing to prevent such accidents. Meantime I demand a comprehensive repose of the government on the fate of various road projects of the state”.
Masoodi regretted that from past six months, nearly 1600 accidents had taken place in the state majority of which took place on the national highway connecting Srinagar with Jammu.
There was a dearth of necessary ground staff to ensure safe and secure movement of the vehicular traffic on the highway, he said.
He also urged the concerned ministry to come up with the measures which it was employing to reduce such accidents.
Masoodi also sought an answer from the concerned ministry when the crucial Banihal-Ramban stretch would be upgraded.
The road stretch, he pointed out, had been a primary bottle neck in ensuring smooth and hassle free traffic of traffic on the route.
Over the recent restrictions on the highway, Masoodi said that Kashmiris had traditionally welcomed Amarnath Yatris with gaiety and fervour.
“However the security measures should not hamper day to day activities of the general population. The security concern should be dealt with properly”.
“No one is raising questions on that facet but that should be done at the cost of other vital activities. The Bijbehara-Pahalgam route and the Qazigund- Nashri routes have been placed under strict restrictions,” he said.
The measure of keeping vital arterials including the National highway out of bounds for the civilian traffic, he said, “will inadvertently hit the economic activity in the valley”.
He urged the centre to review the decision and ensure that the general public doesn’t have to face any trouble in view of the restrictions.
KV News
