THE statistics of road accidents in the last 10 years in Pakistan presents a horrible view, according to which about 15 people are killed daily in the country. The highest death toll is recorded in Sindh where the 135km Jamshoro- Sehwan Sharif section of the Indus highway has become the epicentre of traffic accidents.

Almost every day traffic accidents are reported from this section of Indus Highway after the completion of Aamri- Qazi Ahmed Bridge on the Indus.

Heavy-duty vehicles, including trucks, trawlers and dumpers, are driven rashly without any check. There are no motorway police to regulate the traffic, while government hospitals in Manjhand and Sann are not equipped well enough to handle victims of road accidents.

As a result, a significant number of injured people have either lost their lives or have become disabled due to non-availability of proper treatment in these hospitals. Moreover, these government hospitals often remain without senior medical staff.

There is a need for taking short-term and long-term measures to contain road accidents on this section of the Indus highway, including the deployment of motorway police, installation of proper signage and educating the drivers and commuters about the speed limit and use of seat belt, etc. The road must be made a dual carriageway to save the lives of thousands of people, who commute every day.

In this regard, both the Sindh and the federal government should come together to fulfill their responsibilities.

Nasir Ali Panhwar
Jamshoro

Published in Dawn, November 23rd, 2017