Azad seeks plan to avert road mishaps

JAMMU: Expressing concern over the significant increase in road mishaps across Chenab Valley, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad on Wednesday urged administration of Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) to come up with an effective plan to prevent such accidents in the region.

“My condolences are with the family of the deceased. The roads in the Chenab valley have become death traps. I request to the new administration of UT of J&K to formulate an effective plan to curb such road mishaps,” Azad told reporters outside the Jammu Airport, who arrived here a day after sixteen persons including three children were killed in a road accident in Doda district of Jammu division.

“Normally, I go to my district in the summer but this year I did not get permission. With the Supreme Court’s permission, I am going to my district now. There is no political program on my schedule this time," leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha added embarking his three day visit to Jammu region.

“During three day visit, Azad will visit Batote in Ramban district and Doda and Bhaderwah in Doda district, the senior Congress leader said.

However, he claimed, Jammu and Kashmir Congress president G A Mir was denied permission by the administration to accompany Azad.

In September, Azad had undertaken a six-day visit to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir following the abrogation of its special status under Article 370 of the Constitution on August 5.