The development of any country or a society is no doubt very necessary for the growth and prosperity of that particular area and is to be ensured at every possible cost but same, at the cost of human lives is neither welcomed nor acceptable. After the formation of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, under a well-planned strategy and unprecedented development spree was initiated by the present dispensation in almost every sector which, during the last more than two years, has brought significant changes and development across the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir. Among numerous such development initiatives, ensuring a durable and all-weather road network across the Union Territory was on the top priority of the administration and no stone was left unturned in achieving the same, thereby ensuring connectivity between areas located even at far-off places. Majority among these road projects have either been completed or are near completion. But the incident regarding a collapse of an under-construction tunnel near Ramban on Jammu and Srinagar National Highway is really sad and a matter not to be taken lightly as a number of precious lives were lost in it. The executing authorities as well as other concerned should implement all possible safety measures at such crucial spots which are quite prone to the landslides etc so that such heart-wrenching incidents may not happen in future. Although the Government as well as NHAI has announced ex-gratia relief for the NoKs of the deceased, who lost their lives the accident and the Centre has announced a 3-member special committee of experts to probe the matter, which will submit its report very soon after which the action will be taken against all those responsible for such tragic incident which brought gloom and pain to several families by snatching their dear ones from them, without any fault. Besides initiating action against the persons responsible for the tragedy, the need of the hour is to ensure provision of safety precautions for the well-being of on duty labourers so that while carrying out the developmental works no such incident may occur in future.
