19yr old youth dies as dumper skids off road in Budhal

Rajouri, Jul 31: A road accident claimed the life of a 19-year-old boy in the Budhal area of Rajouri district on Thursday morning after a dumper skidded off the road and fell into a river.

The accident took place at around 8:30am when a dumper bearing registration number JK11F-7916, on its way from Kewal Tran to Seari, lost control near Beji and plunged into the river.

The deceased has been identified as Sarfaraz Ahmed, son of Mohammad Arif, a resident of Dalheri, Tehsil Khawas.

Locals said that Sarfaraz was immediately shifted to PHC Budhal where doctors declared him brought dead.

Police have registered a case and are investigating the cause of the accident.

The people from the area attributed the cause of the accident to the delay in completion of the road, lying in dilapidated condition.

Mohammad Farooq Inqlabi, Former Sarpanch of the area said the accident occurred due to the extremely poor condition of the road.

Referring to the Phalni Tran to Phagoli road which is a stretch of eight kilometers.

"The road was sanctioned in 2004 but is still incomplete, posing serious risks to commuters," he said.

He said the issue was taken up with the administration number of times but substantial action was taken till date.

“This is unfortunate that the far-flung areas are ignored by the authorities,” Inqlabi said.

He demanded a compensation of Rs 50 lakh for the family of the deceased, saying that the accident was a direct result of administrative failure.

"It is the responsibility of the government to ensure proper road infrastructure in the area," he said.

He urged the authorities to take immediate steps to complete the pending eight kilometer road project.