Tragedy exposes neglect of worker safety; locals demand reforms at toll posts
Waris Fayaz
Sopore, Oct 21 : A tragic accident near the Municipal toll point in north Kashmir’s Sopore turned a family’s joy into grief, with residents demanding urgent safety reforms at toll posts.
Bilal Ahmad Wani, 24, of Saidpora Sopore, who was scheduled to marry in the coming months, was killed while on duty on Monday evening.
Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Bilal, along with his colleague Shahid Hilal, was performing his duties at the toll point when a speeding truck rammed into them. Bilal died on the spot, while Shahid sustained serious injuries, they said.
Residents and commuters blamed poor safety arrangements at the toll points for the tragedy. Nearly every checkpost in the town lacks basic safety measures such as warning signboards, reflective barricades, speed limits and proper lighting, leaving workers vulnerable to fast-moving vehicles.
Bilal was the only breadwinner of his family, which comprises his ailing father, mother and younger brother. His mother, struggling to speak through grief, said, “He worked day and night to support us. Now our world has come crashing down”.
Locals demanded proper safety measures at toll points, including speed limit signs and reflective barricades, as well as a police presence during night shifts. “This could have been avoided if the area had been marked with visible caution signs”, said a resident.
Meanwhile, a case in this regard has been registered at Police Station Sopore, and investigations are ongoing—(KNO)
