Udhampur: A tragic road accident took place in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday morning. A bus full of passengers slipped off the road and fell into a deep ditch. At least two people died in the accident, while 15 others were injured. There was chaos at the spot after the accident. Local people, administration and emergency rescue teams together conducted relief and rescue operations. The injured have been taken to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Where and how did the bus accident happen?
According to officials, the accident occurred around 8 am on Wednesday morning near Gulli Gala in Basantgarh tehsil of Udhampur district. The bus was going from Pechaund towards Ramnagar. Meanwhile, the driver lost control of the vehicle and the bus slipped off the road and fell into a ditch.
The accident was so severe that the bus was badly damaged and its structure was reduced to twisted pieces of iron. As soon as information about the accident was received, local people reached the spot and helped in evacuating the passengers. After this the administration and emergency teams also reached the spot.
How many people died and how many were injured?
So far, two people have been confirmed dead in this accident. According to officials, 15 people were injured in the accident. The injured were taken to the Primary Health Center (PHC) of Basantgarh and Sub-District Hospital (SDH) of Ramnagar for first aid.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh also shared information regarding the accident. He said that 10 injured were rushed to the sub-district hospital in Ramnagar, out of which preparations were being made to send three to the Government Medical College (GMC), Udhampur for better treatment. He also informed that additional ambulances were being arranged to assist the injured.
What instructions did Dr Jitendra Singh give to the officials?
Lok Sabha MP from Udhampur and Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh contacted the district administration as soon as he got information about the accident. He spoke to District Commissioner Anant Dwivedi on phone and got information about the situation of the accident and relief operations. The Minister directed the officials to provide timely proper treatment to the injured and speed up the rescue operation. He told on social media that timely help of local people helped in evacuating the passengers travelling in the bus. His office also remained in constant touch with the administration so that the needy could get necessary assistance.
Unfortunately, two casualties have been reported. 10 injured have reached SDH Ramnagar. Out of 10, 3 are on way to GMC Udhampur. 3 more ambulances are about to reach SDH Ramnagar. Meanwhile, I have taken up the issue of construction of Ramnagar to Basantgarh road with the BRO authorities at Delhi.
— Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) October 21, 2026
What demands were raised regarding Ramnagar-Basantgarh road?
After the accident, the issue of construction and improvement of the road from Ramnagar to Basantgarh has also come to the fore. Dr Jitendra Singh said that he has taken up the matter related to this road with the officials of Border Roads Organization (BRO) in New Delhi.
Narrow roads, sharp turns and difficult geographical conditions in hilly areas can become challenges for drivers. In such a situation, emphasis is being laid on the need for road safety, better construction and regular maintenance.
Have accidents happened before?
This is the second such accident in Udhampur district within a week, which has increased the concern regarding road safety. Earlier on October 15, a minibus had slipped off the road and fallen into a ravine near Johnu area of Udhampur. 18 people were injured in that accident, although no deaths were reported.
Amidst the continuous accidents, the need to pay attention to the traffic safety and condition of roads on the hilly routes has come to the fore. At present, the administration is keeping an eye on the treatment of the injured in the bus accident that took place on Wednesday and the circumstances related to the accident.
