KISHTWAR: Senior Congress Leader and MLA Inderwal, G.M Saroori on Monday expressed serious concern over the increasing road accidents in the erstwhile district Doda. He alleged that out of 37 State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) buses introduced by the government after several accidents, 34 have been withdrawn. With the introduction of SRTC buses, the number of accidents had gone down, he said but after the withdrawal of 34 buses, the number has again risen. Saroori said because of less number of vehicles, passenger vehicles always remained overloaded resulting in accidents.
Hundreds of people are killed every year in road accidents on highways across JK with Chenab Valley and Pirpanchal region recording the highest rate of accidents. He blamed the government for the growing rate of accidents in the State particularly in Chenab Valley and Pirpanchal region. “The accidents happen in Chenab Valley every other day and the government is not taking any step in this regard.” said Congress MLA, G.M Saroori. He said last month a road accident took place in Sinthan Kishtwar in which nine persons including three doctors were killed, last week in Ramban District eight persons were killed and yesterday also on Thanala Road in Bhadarwah two person were killed in an accident. “The government is not taking any step to prevent the road accidents,” he alleged.
Saroori castigated the government for shelving the recommendations presented by a House Committee, headed by Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami which had suggested measures for checking frequent road accidents. He demanded immediate implementation of recommendations made by House Committee.
Cutting across party lines, G.M Saroori on the last day of Assembly vociferously pleaded the cause of Special Police Officers (SPOs), Village Defence Committee (VDC) in the Legislative Assembly demanding their regularisation and enhancement in their wages from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 in view of present market inflation.
