Saqib Rather
Srinagar, Oct 28: For many commuters in Srinagar, reaching home safely has become a matter of concern rather than routine. From poorly maintained roads to dangerous bends and stretches lacking adequate safety barriers, residents say the region’s road infrastructure continues to expose motorists and passengers to avoidable risks.
The recent bus accident on the Basantgarh-Ramnagar road in Udhampur, where a vehicle plunged into a gorge at Gulli Gala, killing two passengers and injuring at least 10 others, has once again brought the issue into sharp focus.
The tragedy has also intensified concerns over the slow pace of corrective measures at accident-prone locations across Jammu and Kashmir.
“Every time we hear about a road accident, we worry about our own families. Many roads are narrow, and there are places where even a small mistake can prove fatal,” said a Srinagar resident.
Another commuter said road safety should not be limited to issuing advisories and conducting meetings.
“Authorities need to ensure that dangerous roads are repaired, protective barriers are installed and warning signs are placed wherever required. People should not have to risk their lives while travelling,” the commuter said.
The concerns come amid a substantial road-safety backlog in the Union Territory. According to figures presented during a review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on October 5, the Transport Commissioner has identified 367 accident black spots across J&K.
Of these, only 68 have been fully rectified, leaving 299 locations awaiting complete corrective action.
Officials informed the meeting that 165 black-spot rectification works had been audited by central agencies. However, the status of the remaining locations has raised questions over the pace of implementation and the timelines for eliminating identified hazards.
The figures assume significance as road accidents continue to claim lives at an alarming rate.
Jammu and Kashmir recorded 756 road-accident fatalities between January 1 and September 15, 2026, translating into nearly three deaths every day.
Although the fatality count remains below the 1,090 deaths recorded during 2024, the daily toll continues to underline the scale of the challenge.
The number of road accidents has also declined, with 4,222 incidents reported during the period in 2026, against 5,808 in 2024.
For residents, however, the decline offers little reassurance while dangerous stretches remain unattended.
“Statistics may show improvement, but every life lost is a family devastated. The government must ensure that accident-prone roads are made safe before another tragedy occurs,” a resident said.
The administration has set targets to reduce annual road fatalities to 600 or fewer by 2027 and 450 by 2030.
Meanwhile, a safety audit of 1,433 roads has been completed across J&K, while Rs 11.60 crore has been released to 15 districts under the Road Safety Fund for corrective interventions.
Road-safety experts maintain that identifying black spots is only the first step. Timely execution of engineering interventions, including road widening, improved drainage, crash barriers, signage and correction of hazardous alignments, is equally essential.
The Udhampur accident has also renewed attention on vulnerable mountain roads, where steep gradients, sharp turns and limited visibility can magnify the consequences of even minor driving errors.
Residents in Srinagar say the concerns are not confined to mountain highways, but extend to everyday commuting, where road conditions, traffic discipline and pedestrian safety remain pressing issues.
With 299 identified black spots yet to be reported as fully rectified, people are demanding a transparent, time-bound action plan.
For commuters, the expectation is straightforward: safer roads, quicker repairs and accountability. The challenge before the administration is to ensure that road-safety reviews translate into visible improvements on the ground, before another preventable accident claims lives.
