Doda (J&K), July 15:In a devastating road accident, five people lost their lives and 19 others were injured on Tuesday when an overloaded tempo traveller skidded off the Doda-Barath road and plunged into a deep gorge in the Ponda area of Doda district.
According to Police Control Room (PCR) Doda, three of the critically injured passengers have been referred to Government Medical College Jammu for advanced treatment, while the remaining injured are undergoing treatment at District Hospital Doda.
The ill-fated vehicle, bearing registration number JK06-4847, was reportedly carrying more passengers than its permitted capacity. It veered off the narrow hilly road and fell into a steep gorge, leading to a chaotic rescue operation by locals, volunteers, and emergency services.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed deep grief over the loss of lives, stating:”Pained by the tragic road accident in Doda.
My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”However, the incident has triggered widespread anger among residents and civil society groups, who have accused the traffic and transport authorities of gross negligence and failure to enforce basic safety norms.
Local activists and eyewitnesses questioned how an overloaded passenger vehicle was allowed to ply on such a dangerous stretch unchecked.“ This is not just an accident—it’s the outcome of long-standing administrative neglect,” said local activist Sachin Singh Sambyal.“
Instead of ensuring safety and enforcing traffic rules, traffic police are often seen in viral social media videos allegedly collecting hafta from drivers. Is their duty to safeguard public lives or to focus on roadside collections?”
Residents pointed out that despite repeated tragedies on the Doda-Batote-Kishtwar axis in the past, little has changed on the ground. Basic measures like speed regulation, surprise checks, and fitness verification of vehicles remain sporadic or entirely absent.
The public has appealed to the Lieutenant Governor and Divisional Commissioner Jammu to order a time-bound probe and take exemplary action against negligent traffic officials, whose inaction continues to cost innocent lives.
Authorities have assured that the matter is under investigation, and a detailed report will be submitted after the completion of preliminary inquiries.
Report: Mansoor Qadir.
