Srinagar, Following the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations, SMHS Hospital in Srinagar has reported a significant increase in road accident-related admissions, with 60% of recent cases linked to traffic incidents. This surge highlights ongoing concerns over road safety and infrastructure in the region.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the high rate of accidents post-Eid contrasts sharply with the Indian government’s assertions of improved infrastructure and development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration. This situation points to a gap between governmental promises and the on-ground realities that pose daily risks to the Kashmiri populace.

Professor Dr. Iqbal Saleem, a prominent local doctor, has expressed serious concerns about the rise in accident rates during festive periods, emphasizing the need for stricter safety protocols. In a recent media briefing, Dr. Saleem urged the community, especially young people, to adhere to traffic laws and wear helmets consistently.

Dr. Saleem also highlighted the operational pressures at SMHS Hospital, revealing that the surgery department treated 1,155 patients in just the past day, with 56 of those cases requiring hospital admission due to injuries sustained in road accidents. He called on both authorities and citizens to foster a culture of safety and responsibility to curb the troubling trend of traffic-related injuries and fatalities.