57 died in accidents on Jammu-Poonch highway in 2017: JK Govt

As many as 57 persons were killed and 54 others injured in road accidents on the Jammu-Poonch National Highway in 2017, state legislative assembly was informed today.
Revenue, Law, and Parliamentary Affairs minister Abdul Rehman Veeri said that 73 accidents took place on the highway last year.
He was replying to a Calling Attention Notice moved by PDP legislator Surinder Choudhary about deaths on roads, especially on Jammu-Poonch National Highway.
Veeri said the Transport department has taken several initiatives and efforts are afoot to minimise road accidents and resultant causalities on National Highways.
"Special drives are being launched by Traffic Police department against visible offences, like dangerous driving, use of mobile phones while driving, triple-riding, riding without crash helmet, overloading, overtaking, driving without seat belt," said Veeri.

"Strict mechanism has been taken up for the issuance of licences. Widening and repairing of roads with further laying of parapets are being done and crash barriers on hilly roads are being established to provide safety on roads," he said, adding that the department was conducting road shows, rallies, seminars and other programmes to spread mass awareness.
The minister also informed the House that the J&K Traffic Police has challaned 16,282 violators for various traffic related offences and a fine of Rs 21.36 lakh has been realised in district Poonch during 2017.