By Ovais Gull
Srinagar: There seems no let in the accidents across Jammu and Kashmir with back to back mishaps taking place in the State. The accidents in this week at different places have claimed over 40 lives so far.
The major accident in this week was reported at Kishtwar district where at least 35 persons were killed while 16 others sustained wounds.
Besides, 18 students and a teacher were wounded in Ganderbal mishap on Wednesday. Many other mishaps also took place in last four days which left many dead and several others wounded.
The back to back mishaps across the State shook the government and probed certain such incidents that led to the death of over dozens.
The reports suggest that some of the officials were also suspended for their alleged negligence while performing their duties that according to the officials have led to the loss of many.
Reports added that over 8,000 people have died and almost 80,000 injured in 56000 road accidents during the last nine years in Jammu and Kashmir. In the previous year 2018, 984 people lost their lives in 5978 road accidents, reports said, adding that the road accidents claimed 926, 958, 917 lives in 2017 and 2016, and 2015 respectively.
The government earlier claimed to have taken measures to ensure the fatalities would decrease.
However, the sources in the traffic department told The INS that the measures taken by the government remained confined on the papers as it were never implemented on the ground.
The Governor Satya Pal Malik in the recently held State Administrative Council (SAC) meeting has also raised concerned over the loss of lives and has directed the officials concerned to ensure the road fatalities are put to an end.
The funds as per the top officials were also released for the safety of roads, adding that the government has also taken several initiatives like road accident data management system to analyze each mishap.
They informed that the new measures are in offing, which would certainly decrease the road mishaps.