Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Jan 12: Expressing concern over the accident-prone Samba Chowk, local residents and social activists have demanded the construction of flyover on Jammu-Pathankot National Highway at Main Chowk in Samba.
As per official data, around 80 accidents took place at Main Chowk and its surroundings on National Highway in Samba during 2015-2016, which claimed 28 precious lives, while, 155 people were injured in these road mishaps.
“Samba Chowk has become the accident-prone spot and witnessing accidents on a regular basis due to heavy flow of traffic. Many commuters at the crossing often get confused when high speed vehicles on highway suddenly come to scene and often meet unfortunate mishaps,” said Virender Singh, a local Sarpanch.
There have been at least four major accidents in the past few weeks in which six people including two pedestrians were knocked to death. “We had repeatedly asked the district administration to make provisions for a flyover so that the area can be made as safe and protected zone, but nothing happened’’. Even, elected representatives have failed to take up the issue at concerned quarters, he added.
“Residents passing through Samba Chowk have to bear brunt of traffic chaos from both sides of the road. “I never saw a traffic police personnel regulating traffic there,. The intersection lacks traffic signals and many streetlights on National Highway are also defunct,” said Anuradha Devi, a college student.
Another local youth Lovely Singh said, “ the Samba Chowk has become prone to accidents due to the negligence of authorities concerned. Accidents are very common and there is no regulation of traffic. The authorities should deploy traffic police personnel to control the traffic movement on this most dangerous and accident prone Chowk,” he said.
“We demand construction of flyover or early alternative to make smooth traffic movement and to avoid fatal road accidents which usually result into loss of precious human lives’’, he added.
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