Ramban-Banihal stretch a deathtrap for pilgrims

Dinesh Manhotra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, July 16

Amarnath pilgrims, who come from all parts of the country and abroad, have been witnessing bad roads in the Jammu region.

A 36-km-long accident-prone crucial stretch between Ramban and Banihal has virtually turned into a death trap for pilgrims due to the poor condition of the track. A casual approach being adopted by policemen in managing the traffic has further added to the woes of pilgrims.

Although the state of the road has been bad for a long time, after the 2014 floods, this track has started sinking at several places and has been witnessing huge landslides almost every day during the rainy season. Besides, over a dozen points on this track have turned into bottlenecks where traffic jams are witnessed every day.

“Crossing this track on the Jammu-Srinagar highway is a nightmare due to the condition of the road and the traffic mismanagement,” Ravi, a driver from Rajasthan said.

Affected patches around three spots between Ramsu and Banihal, besides the narrowing of the road due to landslides and cracks elsewhere have made it very difficult to drive on the highway, from where Amarnath yatris pass everyday.

The authorities are aware that the condition of this stretch is going from bad to worse in the last couple of years. However, no concrete step has been taken to address the issue.

On July 15, 2012, 15 Amarnath pilgrims had lost their lives in a road accident on the same track.

Minister: Inquiry on 

Minister for Transport Sunil Sharma told The Tribune that he had ordered an inquiry into the road accident on Sunday in which 16 Amarnath pilgrims have lost their lives. “An inquiry has been initiated. A team has been rushed to the spot and the inquiry committee has been directed to submit the report within two days,” he said, adding that thecommittee would inquire about the condition of the ill-fated bus and other aspects.

NC leaders condole death of devotees 

Srinagar: National Conference (NC) leaders Farooq Abdullah and Omar Abdullah also expressed grief and shock over the death of pilgrims in the road accident. Senior NC leaders, including party’s general secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar, provincial president Devender Singh Rana, legislators and office-bearers also extended their condolences to the bereaved families. TNS