TAXILA: Ongoing construction work on the inter provincial Rawalpindi Kohat Road near Jand town in Attock has sparked serious safety concerns after repeated accidents exposed glaring lapses in traffic management and site supervision. Commuters allege that negligence by the contractor has transformed a busy highway into a dangerous stretch, putting lives at constant risk.

According to preliminary reports, a car skidded on loose gravel scattered across the road during shoulder development work. Witnesses claimed the debris was left unattended, creating a hazardous surface that caused the vehicle to lose control. Both fatal and non fatal accidents have been reported in recent weeks, heightening fears among regular road users.

Eyewitnesses said the construction zone lacked proper warning signboards, reflective markers and barricading. The absence of visible safety measures allegedly left motorists unaware of sudden road hazards, particularly at night. Small vehicles including cars, rickshaws and motorcycles are said to be the most vulnerable on the uneven surface.

Rescue teams responded promptly to the latest incident, providing first aid and shifting the injured to a nearby hospital where their condition was reported stable. However, residents argue that emergency response cannot substitute preventive safety planning and strict compliance with construction protocols.

The situation has drawn comparisons with previous tragedies linked to poor safety enforcement. Despite provincial directives mandating clear signage and secure cordoning of work sites, locals claim the Highway Department has failed to ensure consistent implementation across ongoing projects.

Highway officials maintain that work is being carried out under standard procedures and attribute some incidents to overspeeding. Residents have urged the Punjab Highway Department and the Deputy Commissioner Attock to intensify monitoring and enforce strict road safety standards to prevent further accidents on this critical transport link.