KARACHI:
For years, Balochistan has had poor road infrastructure that has led to many fatal accidents. On Sunday, a bus plunged into a ravine near the Chinki stop in the Lasbela district and caught fire.
Out of the 48 passengers, 41 died and the remaining were seriously injured.
Fatal accidents have become a frequent occurrence in the province due to reckless driving, dilapidated roads, and poor implementation of safety laws. Each year, more than 10,000 accidents are reported across the country. Yet, the concerned authorities have failed to address the issue. Despite passenger complaints, bus services seldom act against drivers accused of careless driving. This negligence eventually results in tragedies such as the recent one. It is high time that the relevant government department strictly directs coach services to train drivers and compels drivers to follow safety protocols. In addition, traffic police must be present on highways and busy roads to regulate and monitor traffic.
Roads and highways across Balochistan should be repaired and reconstructed to improve safety for commuters. Given the increased likelihood of heavy rainfall and flooding, the new roads should be disaster resilient. The provincial government needs to pay attention to this issue and work with the federal government to avoid similar incidents in the future.
Sattar Samad
Turbat
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2023.
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