Baramulla, Oct 29: The absence of reflective markers on concrete road dividers installed at several locations in north Kashmir has emerged as a road safety concern, with residents warning that poorly visible barriers, particularly during night hours, could lead to serious accidents.
The authorities have installed concrete dividers at various stretches to streamline traffic movement and ease congestion in busy areas.
However, the absence of reflectors on these structures has raised concerns among commuters, who say the dividers become difficult to spot after dark, increasing the risk of vehicles crashing into them.
Residents said several road mishaps had occurred in Baramulla town in the past, allegedly due to the poor visibility of these dividers.
Such accidents have resulted in injuries to vehicle occupants and damage to vehicles, with some incidents reportedly causing serious injuries.
In one such incident about a year ago, a car travelling from Srinagar towards Baramulla rammed into a concrete divider near Nanak Bhawan.
The collision left the occupants with severe head injuries and caused extensive damage to the vehicle.
Locals said the absence of reflective markers makes the dividers particularly hazardous at night, when drivers have limited visibility of the road ahead.
The problem becomes more acute during power outages, when inadequate street lighting leaves the concrete structures barely visible to approaching motorists.
They said drivers unfamiliar with the area are especially vulnerable, as they may fail to notice the dividers in time to manoeuvre their vehicles safely.
“Installing reflectors would cost only a few thousand rupees, but it could help save lives. The authorities must pay attention to this issue before another accident occurs,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a local resident.
Residents said that while installing concrete dividers may help regulate traffic and prevent vehicles from entering the wrong lane, ensuring their visibility is equally important for road safety.
They urged the concerned departments to conduct an assessment of dividers installed across Baramulla and other parts of north Kashmir and equip them with reflective markers or other suitable visibility aids.
They also called for adequate street lighting at vulnerable stretches, particularly along busy roads and at locations where dividers are difficult to distinguish from the road surface.
Residents said relatively inexpensive safety measures could help reduce the risk of collisions and prevent avoidable injuries and loss of life.
They urged the authorities to address the issue on priority, particularly as traffic movement increases on busy roads.
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