Fatal Rockfall Claims Tourist's Life on J-K Highway
A heart-wrenching tragedy unfolded on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway near Ramban on Friday when a boulder fell from a steep mountainside, hitting a tourist bus. The incident claimed the life of a female tourist while several others sustained injuries, shaking the region’s fragile sense of safety.
The tourist, part of a group heading to Kashmir for a holiday, had no chance to escape the sudden disaster. Witnesses described the horrifying scene, with the massive rock smashing through the vehicle and shattering any hopes of survival. Emergency responders arrived swiftly, yet the woman succumbed to her injuries on the way to the hospital.
This incident is not an isolated event but a grim reminder of the recurring landslide-related mishaps on the treacherous Jammu-Srinagar Highway. Known for its precarious terrain and unpredictable weather, the highway has become a lifeline for the region but remains fraught with danger.
Experts have long argued that despite being a critical artery for tourism and commerce, the highway's maintenance and safety measures are grossly inadequate. Locals and frequent travelers often complain about the government's reactive, rather than proactive, approach to addressing such hazards.
While authorities have promised geological surveys and preventive strategies, progress remains sluggish. As tourism picks up in Jammu and Kashmir, incidents like these call for immediate, actionable solutions to ensure safe travel.
The loss of a tourist's life due to avoidable natural calamities paints a stark picture of negligence and raises urgent questions about the region's infrastructure planning.
