A tragic road accident on the narrow Kangra-Mubarikpur highway has claimed two lives, sparking renewed demands from local residents and political leaders for immediate widening of the dangerous stretch. The fatal crash occurred near Rakkar village, highlighting the persistent safety concerns on this crucial transportation route.
Details of the Tragic Accident
Two individuals lost their lives when their vehicle met with a serious accident on the Kangra-Mubarikpur highway on Tuesday. The victims have been identified as Ramesh Kumar, aged 42, and Sunil Sharma, aged 38, both residents of the Kangra district. According to eyewitness accounts, the accident took place when their car collided with another vehicle on the narrow road section near Rakkar village.
Local police confirmed that the accident occurred around 3:30 PM when both vehicles were attempting to navigate the tight curves of the highway. The narrow width of the road, combined with increasing traffic volume, created conditions ripe for such tragedies. Emergency services rushed to the spot, but both men were pronounced dead at the scene.
Long-standing Infrastructure Issues
The Kangra-Mubarikpur highway, designated as NH503, has been a subject of concern for local communities for several years. Despite being a vital connection between multiple towns and villages in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, the road remains dangerously narrow at many points. Local residents have been demanding widening of this highway for over five years, citing numerous accidents and near-misses.
This particular stretch near Rakkar village has witnessed multiple accidents in recent months, with residents reporting that the narrow width forces vehicles to come dangerously close to each other, especially when larger vehicles like trucks and buses attempt to pass. The absence of proper safety barriers and the sharp curves further exacerbate the risks for daily commuters.
Political Response and Public Demands
Following the latest tragedy, local political leaders have joined residents in demanding immediate action from the state government and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The Congress party's local unit has specifically called for urgent intervention to prevent further loss of life on this hazardous route.
Community representatives emphasize that the highway widening project has been discussed for years but has seen little progress on the ground. They argue that the increasing traffic volume, particularly commercial vehicles serving the industrial areas along the route, makes the widening exercise absolutely essential for public safety.
The latest fatalities have intensified pressure on authorities to prioritize the highway expansion project. Local residents have threatened protests if concrete steps toward road widening are not initiated soon. They demand that the government allocate necessary funds and begin construction work before more lives are lost on this dangerous stretch of road.
As the community mourns the loss of two more residents, the urgent call for infrastructure improvement grows louder. The Kangra-Mubarikpur highway tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the human cost of delayed infrastructure projects and the critical need for safe transportation networks in hilly regions.
