SRINAGAR, OCT 09: In a concerning report, the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed a total of 4,165 road accidents up to August 2023.
Among these accidents, 499 were fatal, claiming the lives of 580 individuals, while 3,666 accidents resulted in non-fatal injuries to 5,565 people.
Comparing these statistics to the preceding year, 2022, there has been a decrease in the total number of accidents but a persistently high number of fatalities.
In 2022, 6,092 road accidents were reported, resulting in the loss of 805 lives and injuring 8,372 individuals.
Delving into the current year’s data available, the Jammu District appears to be the most affected, with 134 people losing their lives and 900 others sustaining injuries in road accidents. Kathua District follows closely, with 58 fatalities and 476 injuries reported. Additionally, 43 lives were lost, and 333 individuals were injured in accidents in the Union Territory up to August 2023.
Several other districts also witnessed a significant number of casualties and injuries. In South Kashmir’s Anantnag District, 38 people lost their lives, and 286 were injured.
Udhampur District reported 30 fatalities and a staggering 498 injuries. The bordering Rajouri District saw 30 fatalities and 336 injuries, while Samba District reported 30 deaths and 243 injuries. Reasi District recorded 29 casualties and 350 injuries.
In Poonch Town, 13 people died, and 200 were injured in the first eight months of 2023. The hilly Doda District reported 23 fatalities and 220 injuries, while Kishtwar District had 24 casualties and 96 injuries. Ramban District recorded 21 casualties and 217 injuries during the same period.
These alarming statistics underscore the pressing need for enhanced road safety measures and awareness campaigns in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities and communities must collaborate to reduce the number of road accidents and prevent the loss of precious lives on the region’s roads.
