Jammu), December-20-2022-( JNF):- A Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakah High Court Comprising Acting Chief Justice Tashi Rabstan and Justice Rajesh Sekri today while hearing a Public Interest Litigation regarding increasing cases of road accidents in the hilly terrain of Chenab Valley, directed Commissioner/Secretary to Govt., PW(R&B) and Trasnport to constitute a Committee of Experts which shall ascertain the reasons for repeated road accidents on Batote-Doda-Kishtwar Road. The Committee shall suggest measures which help to make the road accident-free.
DB after hearing Adv Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed for the PIL, further directed respondents to erect rolling barriers/steel pillars on curved roads, also wherever culverts are found through Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road.
DB further directed the respondents against whom the directions are being issued shall file the Action Taken Report by or before the next date of hearing.
When the PIL came-up for hearing, DB observed that this public interest litigation is registered pursuant to letter dated 17.12.2022 sent by Mr. Asif Iqbal Butt, Social Activist, R/o The Kahara, District Doda (Chenab Valley) drawing our attention towards the increasing cases of road accidents in the hilly terrain of Chenab Valley. The letter raises concerns about government agencies not taking adequate measures both long-term measures and short-term measures to prevent such unfortunate accidents.
DB obsereved that the issue highlighted in the letter is of serious nature in public interest, accordingly, the following are impleaded as party respondent are
Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir Through Commissioner/Secretary to Govt., PW(R&B) Department, Commissioner/Secretary to Govt., Transport Department,
Director General of Police, J&K, he Inspector General of Police(Traffic), Jammu, Chief Engineer, R&B, Jammu, ARTO, Doda, ARTO Kishtwat, Project Director National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, Jammu, CE (Project) BEACON, C/o 56 APO and CE r (Project) SAMPARK, C/o 56 APO.
During the course of hearing Adv SS Ahmed apprised us that a PIL i.e. WP(C) PIL No. 30/2019 titled ‘Intakhab Ahmed Qazi, v. State and others’ raises the issue with regard to Mughal Road and he is assisting the court in aforesaid PIL.
Upon this Division Bench appointed SS Ahmed as Amicus Curiae in this petition as well.
It is also brought to the notice of this court by Mr. S. S. Ahmed, Amicus that in a road mishap occurred today morning, three people are feared dead as an ill-fated vehicle (Car) plunged into the river Chenab in the Gaddoo area of Doda.
DB issued notice to the respondents which were accepted.
DB directed Commissioner/Secretary to Govt., PW(R&B) and Trasnport to constitute a Committee of Experts which shall ascertain the reasons for repeated road accidents on Batote-Doda-Kishtwar Road. The Committee shall suggest measures which help to make the road accident-free.
DB after hearing Adv Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed for the PIL, further directed respondents to erect rolling barriers/steel pillars on curved roads, also wherever culverts are found through Batote-Doda-Kishtwar road.
DB further directed the respondents against whom the directions are being issued shall file the Action Taken Report by or before the next date of hearing. JNF