Road accident cases rising in J&K, over 650 dead in more than 4500 incidents so far this year

The rise of accident cases in Jammu and Kashmir is becoming a big concern for the authorities as thousands of tragic incidents are taking place in the Union Territory and hundreds of lives are being lost. In 2024, over 650 people lost their lives in over 4500 accidents across the region.

In 2024, over 650 people lost their lives in road accidents across Jammu and Kashmir. Over 4500 accident cases have been reportedthis year. Over 6000 people have been injured in these accident cases. The Jammu and Kashmir Police's traffic department is now aggressively campaigning for awareness of traffic rules and advising parents to not allow children/minors to drive.

This comes after a recent accident that took place in Srinagar's Tengpora area in which two schoolchildren lost their lives while one was critically injured. The whole of Kashmir Valley was in shock after watching the CCTV footage of the accident. The traffic police have in the last few days seized hundreds of vehicles that were being driven by minors or people without license.

The social media is abuzz with people talking about the recent accident in Srinagar and the need for a strict policy by the government besides anger against parents allowing their children to drivevehicles.

''We have been focussing on preventing traffic violations to control the number of accidents and fatalities as such. But since the last few days after this accident tookplace, a discourse has started in society, and people are shocked. There is a certain realisation that a lot of minors are driving two-wheelers and four-wheelers. We are also focussing on it," said Muzaffar Ahmad Shah, SSP Traffic City Srinagar.

''In Srinagar, the number of casualties was 54, this year it was 48, and with the addition of these two kids, the number has gone to 50. In the Kashmir Division, the number of challans daily would be around 3500 to 4000 a day. That being said, challan is not the solution to the problem. It's a collaborative effort,'' he added.

The civil society and NGOs have also been campaigning aggressively after the recent accident. Some of themhave been asking for a strong transport policy in Jammu and Kashmir. They also demand an increase in the number of traffic policemen on the roads. In Srinagar, there are around 5 lakhregistered vehicles, but only 300 traffic policemen are manning the traffic on the roads.

''650 lives have been lost in 2024, and many others have suffered serious injuries where they have lost their limbs. Thereare permanent disabilities among people due to accidents, and they will be bedridden for the rest of their lives. We require a strict transport policy in Jammu and Kashmir. J&K has been facing conflict for the last 3-4 decades.We have a strong security policy in Jammu and Kashmir, but at the same time, road accidents are claiming 48 per cent more lives than the armed conflict. But still, there is no transport policy. We have over 5 lakhvehicles registered in Srinagar only, but there areonly 300 traffic policemen to man the traffic, so we need more people,'' said Nasir Ali Khan, Founder of KRSF.