Court raps HCC on increasing Highway mishaps

RAMBAN: District Magistrate Ramban, Mohammad Aijaz Thursday initiated criminal proceedings against Hindustan Construction Company (HCC) for failing to properly maintain the National Highway from Ramban to Banihal leading to various traffic accidents.
The work of four-laning project from Km 150 to 187 was allotted to HCC under the conditions that the company also has to properly maintain the existing NHW. But even after warnings and rapid instructions, the company has not properly maintained the road. The stretch is in a dilapidated condition and is marred by potholes, choked drainage system, lack of crash barriers, broken patches, slippage etc.
The condition has resulted in loss of lives and property due to traffic accidents.
The ADC Ramban and ARTO Ramban have also reported about the worst condition of the NHW stretch at vulnerable locations like Marog, near battery Chashma, Ankoli fall, Digdole, Panthyal, Gangroo, Nachilana and Sherbibi where several accidents have occurred due to its shrinkage and non-maintenance.
In this regard a notice has been served to HCC for putting human life in danger due to careless and irresponsible working on the NHW stretch from Ramban to Banihal.
Exercising powers vested with him, the District Magistrate has directed the HCC to show cause for blatant disobedience of Maintenance Clause of the contract agreement and in the mean time a committee has also been constituted by him to quantify the repair cost of the NHW stretch from KM 150 to KM 187 which may be imposed as criminal liability on the company in case of occurrence of any untoward incident.

7 injured in Nashri mishap
Seven persons were injured Thursday after a Tavera plunged into a gorge near Nashri. The vehicle was on way to Srinagar from Jammu.
Bearing registration number JK 14 B 1871, the vehicle rolled down into a 30 ft deep gorge near Nashri Morh in the wee hours today.
The injured all non-local labourers were shifted to SK Memorial hospital Batote for treatment where their condition is stated to be stable.

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