GUJAR KHAN: The 63-km long Mandra-Chakwal road, which was upgraded as a dual carriageway by former prime minister Raja Pervez Ashraf and took many years to be built has now become a deathbed for its users, this was expressed by Raja Hafeez, resident of Saangh village, while commenting on increased traffic accidents on the road.

He said the road has become fatal for its users as traffic laws are not properly implemented by police.

Talking to Dawn, a Rescue 1122 official said two people lost their lives in a car accident on Mandra-Chakwal road near Tallhi Mor on Saturday morning. The deceased were identified as Mehmood Sultan, 45, resident of Gujar Khan and Imran, 45, resident of Abbottabad.

A few days ago, a speeding passenger van fell into a ditch near Saangh village on the dual-carriageway. A school teacher lost his life in the accident while nine other passengers were seriously wounded. He said three dozen people have lost their lives and scores have received serious injuries on this road during the past six months. Most accidents take place due to reckless driving and lack of road sense among road users, he said.

A university student who travels regularly to Islamabad using the road said a large number of children are seen over speeding while they ride on motorcycles. He said driving on the wrong side around u-turns also goes unchecked, leading to accidents. The road was constructed three years ago but regretfully, traffic police has still not been deployed and this speaks volumes about the negligence of authorities concerned, he said, adding this road should be handed over to National Highway & Motorway Police so that traffic rule violations could be monitored.

Another regular commuter of the road, Raja Khalid Mehmood said that inadvertently designed spaces and sudden u-turns were causing accidents Road users also urged the regional police officer (RPO) Rawalpindi and the commissioner to take notice of this matter and ensure implementation of road safety laws on highways.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2021