Jahangir Sofi
Srinagar, Oct 29 : In yet another tragic incident on Srinagar-Baramulla highway, two people have lost their lives near HMT Umerabad in Srinagar on Monday.
Notably, three people have lost their lives during the last three months on this road stretch, which has sparked renewed concern over the road safety.
The local residents claimed the area has a long history of such deadly accidents.
According to the officials, the particular road stretch between Lawaypora and Shaletang has recorded at least four deaths and over 20 injury incidents due to road accidents during the last one year.
A police official told the news agency that during the last one year till now, at least four deaths and over 20 injury incidents have been reported from Lawaypora to Shaltang highway road stretch, with most of the cases happening due to the ‘over speeding’ and reckless driving.
As two lives were lost at HMT Umerabad in City outskirts today, one more is stated to be undergoing treatment.
Eyewitnesses reported that the accident occurred when a mini load carrier was struck by a ‘fast’ moving passenger bus near Umerabad, resulting in the loss of life of one person at the scene.
Locals said that this sorrowful addition to the series of similar accidents has been plaguing this road stretch for years.
“This is not the first time,” said Arif Ahmad, a local resident. “This area has seen countless accidents. It has become a high-risk zone.”
Other residents echoed similar concerns, with some recalling traditional beliefs that spirits haunted the road, causing the frequent accidents.
Ghulam Ahmad Tantray, another local, shared, “Our elders warned us about spirits here, but the truth is its reckless driving and negligence leading to these accidents. Something needs to be done about it.”
Police officials told KNO that the bus driver has been arrested, and that the vehicle involved too has been seized.
“An investigation is underway, with an FIR registered under relevant sections”, a police official said.
Traffic police authorities highlight that reckless, wrong lane and high-speed driving contribute to such tragedies, stating that they would increase monitoring and speed regulation measures.
Meanwhile, local residents have urged traffic authorities to enforce stricter checks to curb reckless driving on the highway. “Unless there’s a serious crackdown on over-speeding, we fear these incidents will continue,” said another resident.
