Accident mitigation and management measures for NH-44(India) from Khannabal to Qazigung in Jammu-Kashmir

Abstract

Accidents are not natural but they are caused is a common cliché in the area of traffic safety. Thus, if accidents are caused, surely the reasons responsible for them could be identified and appropriate remedial measures developed and implemented to the extent feasible. This study lays emphasis on the safety analysis and accident studies of National Highway-1A(NH-44) on the 24 Km long stretch of road from Khanabal to Qazigund which is the main connecting link of Kashmir valley to Jammu and the rest of the country. As such this road is subjected to heavy vehicular traffic carrying passengers and goods and is the main strategic road of the state of Jammu and Kashmir State, it is one of the busiest and dangerous roads of the country. The problem of traffic flow is very acute due to complex flow of vehicular traffic, presence of mixed traffic along with pedestrians. Traffic accidents lead to loss of life and property. Also the stretch under study is subjected to rough weather conditions particularly during the winters. The primary objective of this study is to carry out the safety analysis of National Highway-1A(NH-44) on the 24 Km long stretch of road from Khanabal to Qazigund and provide a solution to the traffic accidents which occur on this 24 Km long stretch of road from Khanabal to Qazigund. The National Highway-44 (formerly known as NH 1A) connecting Kashmir Valley to the rest of the country has always been susceptible to accidents.