Causalities in J&K road mishaps becoming mere statistics: Altaf Bukhari

Srinagar : Expressing serious concern over rising road accidents and loss of lives therein, former finance minister Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari on Monday said that it seems the casualties in road mishaps are taken as mere statistics by the concerned authorities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Referring to the latest road accident in which six persons were killed and another injured in Ujhan Dhandkote village in Darhal area of Rajouri district on Sunday, Bukhari said that authorities concerned seem to be unmoved by loss of precious lives in the state.

“My heart goes out for the bereaved families who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. I express my heartfelt sympathies with them and pray for eternal peace to the departed souls. I also wish a speedy recovery for the injured,” Bukhari observed.

The former finance minister said the increasing roadaccidents in Jammu and Kashmir have assumed alarming proportions. “Unfortunately the authorities concerned seem to be unmoved by these mishaps and the lives consumed therein are now taken as mere figures,” he said, adding that the issue assumes much significance because day-in and day-out, the reports of these fatal accidents are pouring in, especially from the mountainous regions of the State.

Bukhari remarked that it has been found that the vehicle drivers are not following set standard rules and safety instructions in mountainous regions of the state causing huge loss of lives.

“The Governor led administration must go for some tangible measures to prevent such frequent heart wrenching mishaps in the state especially in border districts,” Bukhari urged, further demanding a tough action against the traffic violators who mostly cause these accidents consuming precious lives in the state.

“The traffic department must constitute more special checking squads especially in mountainous terrains of the State to stop these road mishaps.” (KNS)