Since the start of monsoon season earlier this month seven major road accidents have been reported in Uttarakhand in which nine persons have died, a deputy commandant of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) is missing and several were injured. These accidents expose the tall claims Uttarakhand police made before monsoon season. With the start of Kanwad Mela, many Kanwadias will come from outer states and travel on foot or on vehicles to the mountainous apart from Haridwar.
Most of these visitors and other tourists are not used to driving on mountainous roads. The rains and related factors turn the roads riskier especially for those not experienced in driving on mountain roads. In most of the road accidents police suspect that the driver was over speeding, under the influence of alcohol or nodded off for seconds while driving. Observers point out that the police alone are not responsible for preventing road accidents. However, the measures planned in rounds of meetings held before the onset of the monsoon should at least be enforced strictly.