District administration observes silence over fatalities. PHOTO: FILE
SHANGLA: At least 70 people have died and approximately 100 others have been injured in road accidents in Shangla between January and October, an informal survey conducted by The Express Tribune revealed.
According to the data collected, over 50 accidents have been reported during the first ten months of the year. A majority of these traffic accidents occurred due to vans and pickups plunging into ravines in the district. For instance, on March 24, four people died while two others were injured when a car fell into a ravine in Serai.
As per the statistics, only a minimum of ten road accidents were a result of road collisions and hit-and-runs.
On July 30, a man died after he was run over by a tractor on Raniyal Road. Similarly, a girl was hit by a speeding vehicle while she was on her way to school in Shah Pur area of Shangla. At least six of family died while another was wounded in a road accident on Lalonai Road on October 17.
The spike in the number of accidents threatens to radically alter Shangla’s image as a tourist spot dotted with eye-catching valleys and meadows.
Amid speculations
However, district administration officials have observed complete silence over the fatalities caused by these accidents. This has left residents to find solutions based on conjecture and emotions rather than concrete evidence.
According to a survey conducted on social media, a majority of residents believe the design and infrastructure of roads has contributed to road accidents. A large number of people claim substandard material has been used in the construction of roads in the district.
Many residents said accidents occur because guards have not been hired to ensure security on highways of Shangla.
Others believe the failure of law-enforcement agencies to crack down on drivers who are either untrained or do not possess licences has caused the recent spate in traffic accidents.
Pinning the blame
Speaking to The Express Tribune Shangla AC Taimoor Khan held the National Highway Authority responsible for the accidents which have occurred over the past 10 months.
“Construction work is being conducted at a slow pace,” he said. “There are no safety fences or signboards on all major roads.”
According to Taimoor, the link roads which have been constructed are much too narrow for cars to pass through.
The AC urged the government to construct more roads in the district.
“Shangla is situated in a mountainous area,” he said. “We need suitable infrastructure. During snowfall, traffic accidents are fairly common and appropriate steps need to be taken in this regard.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2015.
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