Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
In a devastating road accident early Monday, a bus carrying over 55 passengers overturned on a steep mountain road in Almora district, Uttarakhand, claiming the lives of 36 people. The overcrowded 40-seater bus was en route to a neighboring village when it tragically skidded off a narrow bend and plunged into a gorge, killing dozens instantly. Dozens more remain critically injured, clinging to life in nearby hospitals
The incident has once again highlighted the perils of mountain road travel in Uttarakhand, where road safety concerns are increasingly at the forefront of public attention. Nationwide condolences have poured in, with the President of India, the Prime Minister, and other top leaders, including the Defense and Home Ministers, expressing deep sorrow. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has announced a compensation package for the families of the deceased and injured, along with the suspension of the Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) for alleged negligence in monitoring vehicle safety in the region.
However, many are criticizing the response as a stopgap measure that fails to address the chronic issues of road safety. Anoop Nautiyal, founder of Dehradun-based SDC Foundation, has called for urgent attention to road safety measures in Uttarakhand. He remarked, “The loss of 36 lives in a single accident is heart-breaking. Our state sees nearly 1,000 road fatalities each year, which equates to one death every eight hours. We must understand that the number of injured survivors is often much higher and the physical and emotional toll on families is indescribable.”
According to the Uttarakhand Transport Department, data from 2018 to 2022 reveals a concerning trend in the state’s accident severity rate — the number of fatalities per 100 accidents — which remains nearly double the national average. In 2018, the severity rate stood at 71.3, dropping only slightly to 58.36 by 2021. “Such numbers reflect a dire need for systemic improvements. Uttarakhand’s mountain roads are a significant challenge, yet the issue hasn’t been taken seriously by successive governments,” Nautiyal added, criticizing both the ruling and opposition parties.
A suspension of lower-level officials, Nautiyal argues, is insufficient. “Merely suspending a few officers is a superficial solution meant to manage headlines,” he said. “True reform will only come when the state government prioritizes the ‘4E’s’ of road safety — Engineering, Emergency care, Enforcement, and Education.”
Social activist Vandana Sharma echoed Nautiyal’s sentiments, urging the government to take accountability. “We’ve seen enough hollow promises. Each accident speaks of our failure as a society to protect our own people,” she said, adding, “Our government must work with all departments to create a culture of road safety, especially on our mountain roads.”
Sharma is not alone in her concerns. Manish Kumar, a former member of the Transport Board, pointed out that road safety education among drivers and passengers remains minimal, with little to no effort in training or public awareness. “In developed regions, road safety is a culture, but here, it’s a neglected responsibility,” Kumari said. “Until we make road safety everyone’s priority, from the government to citizens, these tragedies will only continue.”
In response to the accident, Chief Minister Dhami has urged for stricter oversight of overloaded vehicles and pledged to review road safety policies. However, for residents and activists alike, the call for action is more urgent than ever.
The recent accident underscores the complex challenges of managing transportation on Uttarakhand’s treacherous mountain roads, and it emphasizes a collective responsibility to implement comprehensive safety measures to prevent further loss of life.
