SIALKOT, Dec 18: Travelling on the 46-kilometre Sialkot-Motra-Daska-Gujranwala Road, especially in public transports, has become positively dangerous because of its dilapidated condition and reckless driving.

The number of accidents here has significantly increased, also exposing limitations and negligence of the traffic police. According to official statistics, more than 155 accidents have occurred on this road so far this year in which more than 100 people have been killed and 195 injured.

When contacted, the traffic police officials ascribed shortage of personnel and vehicles to improper care.

The main road had been constructed and widened about 12 years ago by the Punjab government after which it was declared fit for every kind of traffic. Since then the traffic on this road has risen by four times and caused much damage to it.

The Sialkot Chamber of Commerce and Industry and other trade bodies have time and again appealed to the government to convert the road into a dual carriageway to reduce the number of accidents taking place here. However, the government has yet to take some decision in this regard.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pervaiz Elahi has announced that motorway police will be deployed on this road to control traffic.