A RECENT road accident involving a bus moving from Turbat to Quetta resulted in the tragic loss of 28 lives, including students, two professors and several others. There were about as many other passengers who received serious injuries in the accident.

Among thoswe who lost their lives were two newly-admitted students of Makran Medical College, who were on their way home. The incident obviously marks a significant loss for Balochistan. However, this was not the first such tragedy, as just a couple of months ago, six students from various universities in Pakistan had lost their lives while travelling on the same road.

The primary cause of these accidents is inadequate infrastructure, specifically the single-lane road. This road, which is part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is supposed to be a significant project, but lacks proper traffic management and safety measures.

The government should take immediate stps to address these issues and prevent further tragedies on this dangerous route. The implementation of traffic rules and the expansion of the road infrastructure are critical steps that must be taken to ensure the safety of all commuters.

Osama Kashani
Panjgur

Published in Dawn, June 13th, 2024