Prez, PM, LG, political leaders express grief, condolence
Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia announced for NoK of deceased
Srinagar, Mar 29: In a devastating road accident on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway early Friday morning, at least ten people lost their lives when the passenger vehicle they were travelling in skidded off the road and plunged into a 300-feet deep gorge near Battery Chashma in Ramban district amid heavy rainfall.
A massive rescue operation was launched at 6 am by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Ramban Police, Army personnel, and volunteers. However, the rescuers faced extremely challenging conditions with heavy rains and poor visibility at the accident site.
Ten bodies have been recovered so far from the rescue operation site. The rescue team managed to identify two of the deceased as Balwan Singh, the driver hailing from Amb Gharota in Jammu district, and Vipin Mukhiya from Bhairagang in West Champaran district of Bihar based on their identity cards found at the spot. Efforts are underway to ascertain the identities of the remaining deceased persons.
All the bodies have been shifted to Ramban district hospital as authorities have registered a case and initiated further investigation into the tragic incident.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ramban, Anuj Kumar, stated that a broken bollard on the road indicated the vehicle was likely traveling at a very high speed, potentially between 80 to 100 km/h. While heavy rainfall and slippery road conditions appear to be contributing factors, the SSP emphasized the urgent need to develop comprehensive Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) involving all stakeholders, including the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), private construction companies, and traffic authorities to prevent such road accidents.
In a concerning development, the vehicle itself has not been traced yet as the gushing water flow in the nallah (stream) seems to have swept it away. Drones have been deployed to locate the missing vehicle.
The tragic loss of lives has drawn widespread condolences from the highest offices as well as political leaders across party lines.
President Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences to the bereaved families on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, stating, “The news of many people getting killed after a vehicle fell into a ditch in Ramban area on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway is very sad. I offer my condolences to the bereaved families.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed grief over the accident and extended condolences to the families of the deceased while praying for the speedy recovery of the injured, as per a post on the PMO India’s X account. The Prime Minister’s Office announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund for the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed shock and grief over the loss of precious lives, conveying his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. He stated that instructions have been issued to the District Administration and Divisional Commissioner to render all assistance, as per rules, to the kin of the victims.
Former J&K Chief Ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti mourned the tragic accident on X, extending their deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of the deceased. Omar Abdullah emphasized the urgent need to complete the promised four-lane highway to ensure greater safety for commuters.
Other political leaders, including Altaf Bukhari of the J&K Apni Party, Ghulam Nabi Azad of the Democratic Progressive Azad Party, Ravinder Raina of the J&K BJP, and Vikar Rasool of the J&K Pradesh Congress Committee, also expressed their condolences and called for prompt assistance and compensation for the victims’ families.
As the rescue efforts continue, the authorities are faced with the daunting task of not only locating the missing vehicle but also providing support and closure to the grieving families who have lost their loved ones in this tragic incident.
