ISLAMABAD: Provincial Minister for Communication Mir Tariq Magsi on Sunday, while admitting the rise of death toll in road accidents in the province, said the improvement of road infrastructure was a matter of grave concern for his government.
The minister said considering the severity of the condition the Balochistan government was planning to improve communication system for locals welfare and also boost tourism for which he will himself visit every district.
The top prioritized districts, however, were Ziarat, Mach, Jhal Magsi, Barkan and Pishin, he said.
He said the increased number of road accident was cumbersome as there was no alternative to the human lives and it would be the government’s top agenda in the next cabinet meeting.
He, however, stressed to work out on other issues to control on road life losses. He hinted to improve rescue services to provide swift treatment to the injured and to protect human lives during the incidents of natural calamities.
The minister also asked the National Highway Authority (NHA) to launch a comprehensive drive to sensitize people on safety measures. He also directed NHA to install cameras on highways to check over speeding and violation of traffic laws.
According to statistics shared by the Balochistan Levies force, road accidents have become a prevalent menace in the province as 150 accidents occurred in 2018 and many innocents have lost their lives.
Apart from Balochistan’s innumerable problems and troubles, the Province has most dilapidated roads and most of the existing roads are substandard.
Abdul Khaliq Dumer, said that road accidents have become a prevalent menace in the province. These incidents highlight the contentment of the government and their lax attitude in addressing the problem.
Ateeq Kakar, a resident of Ziarat, said traveling from Quetta to Ziarat or vice versa was a hectic exercise due to roads’ dilapidated condition. Kakar said in emergency cases it was difficult to shift patients to Quetta and the condition of patient normally worsens during journey.
A transporter from Quetta said that the awful condition of roads invites accidents and their vehicles were being damaged for which they have to incur more financial cost. He urged for early construction of the roads to make their journey swift and secured.