Administration not seeing death traps on roads

Jammu, September 14

Uncovered manholes on roads of Jammu city have become a death trap for drivers, especially of heavy vehicles, but no effort is being made by civic authorities to cover them.

A truck carrying essentials got struck in the manhole today, damaging the vehicle leading to a traffic jam.

Despite crores of rupees spent on laying modern sewerage line in Jammu, the authorities have given least consideration to covering the manholes despite clear directions by the Supreme Court to all states.

The Central government circular in 2009 had asked Roads and Buildings, Irrigation and Flood Control, Rural Development, Power Development Department, Public Health Engineering, Geology and Mining, Economic Reconstruction Agency, Municipal Corporations to ensure that no bore well, manhole or pit was left open.

There have been several instances when drivers of two wheelers, cars and trucks have got stuck in manholes, leading to injures to people.

“It’s quite frustrating to drive on the roads these days, a majority of the drains are open and manholes damaged. During rains, it’s always risky to drive and many people have fallen in them. These open manholes are dangerous more so in the dark. One has to remain alert while driving during night hours,” said Suresh Sharma.

Canal Road, Talab Tillo, Janipur, Patoli, Subash Nagar in city have manholes without lids.

“There’s hardly any road in Jammu where one doesn’t find uncovered manholes and are the worst traps and several people have been injured after falling in these pits,” said Sushma Gupta, a university student. — TNS