Public Works Dept ‘negligence’ endangers lives in Sirmaur dist

The recent spell of snowfall in Sirmaur district has turned treacherous for commuters, as the Public Works Department (PWD) has failed to address the issue of ice accumulation on key roads.

Over the past week, icy patches have led to multiple accidents, with eight reported in just seven days, including a tragic incident on December 9 near Rondi in Nohra Dhar, where one person lost their life.

Despite the growing number of accidents, the PWD has yet to take effective measures such as spreading sand on icy roads to prevent vehicles from skidding. This inaction has sparked criticism from locals, who fear further casualties if immediate steps are not taken.

The danger posed by icy roads became evident on December 9, when a vehicle skidded near Rondi, resulting in the loss of a life.

On the same day, a private bus narrowly avoided a major accident after sliding on ice.

On December 12, another incident occurred on the Nohra Dhar-Punnar Dhar route, where a tipper skidded and nearly went off the road.

The Haripurdhar region, under the jurisdiction of the PWD Sangrah division, has been particularly affected.

On December 17, two accidents were reported on a 6-km stretch due to icy conditions. The first was on Haripurdhar-Rajgarh Road, when a jeep carrying two passengers skidded on ice near Sashkhil and veered off the road. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

The second accident occurred on the Haripurdhar-Nahan Road near Kohli Ke Bagh, when a vehicle carrying seven tourists from Panchkula fell 100 m into a gorge after skidding on ice. The tourists sustained minor injuries.

Another accident occurred the following day, when a vehicle bearing a Punjab licence plate lost control at the same spot in Kohli Ke Bagh and landed on the previously crashed vehicle. Two passengers sustained minor injuries in this incident.

Residents have voiced their frustration over the PWD’’s inaction, with one saying, “We’ve been witnessing accidents daily, and it’s high time the department took preventive measures.” With over two dozen injuries reported in the past week and the threat of fatal accidents looming, locals have demanded immediate action from the PWD.

They have urged the department to identify high-risk icy patches and cover them with soil or other materials to prevent further accidents. The incidents highlight the lack of preparedness by the PWD and local administration to handle post-snowfall road conditions in mountainous regions.

Ensuring road safety in winter requires proactive measures, including regular inspection of accident-prone areas and immediate corrective actions. As residents continue to press for action, the onus is on the authorities to address the hazards and prevent further loss of life on Sirmaur’s roads.