For many, today’s heartbreaking incident in the Soura area, where a 3-year-old girl Nabila lost her life in a road accident, may seem like just another news story. But for those of us who knew her, it is an unimaginable loss.
Nabila was stepping out from a bylane onto a connecting street when she was hit by a speeding two-wheeler, resulting in her tragic death. The real pain and agony, however, will stay with her parents for a lifetime. No one on this earth can truly repair or replace such a loss.
As their next-door neighbour, I could feel a fraction of the grief and could hear the cry of the bereaved family. What makes this even more painful is the fact that this incident was entirely preventable. Local residents had been repeatedly pleading for the installation of speed breakers, road mirrors, and zebra crossings in the area, but their appeals fell on deaf ears.
This particular road connects several bylanes and sees constant movement, making it highly vulnerable to accidents. I myself have had several close calls while navigating this stretch that is home to thousands of people. Nabila wasn’t crossing a highway or a major road, she was on a quiet, inner lane. That’s what makes this incident even more shocking.
This tragedy must be a wake-up call for the authorities. Immediate steps must be taken to install speed breakers and traffic mirrors in such densely populated localities. Let’s not wait for more innocent lives to be lost before we act.
Equally disturbing is the report that the two-wheeler was allegedly being ridden by a minor. Have we not learned anything from the Tengpora incident last November, which claimed four lives? While it may not be possible for police to monitor every interior road, the responsibility lies with parents and guardians to ensure minors do not get access to vehicles.
Let Nabila’s death not be in vain. Let it serve as a call to action, for better road safety, responsible parenting, and for civic authorities to finally listen to the people they serve.
Thanks
With a heavy heart
Bilal Bashir Bhat
