District and Sessions Judge Manu Mal Khageja has ordered legal action against a construction firm and officials of the National Highway Authority (NHA), citing daily traffic accidents and loss of life on the severely neglected section of the National Highway from Ghotki to Ubauro.
During a meeting of the District Criminal Justice Coordination Committee on Sunday, the judge expressed serious concern over the dilapidated condition of the critical highway. The meeting, chaired by Judge Khageja at the Judicial Complex Ghotki, was attended by top officials including Ghotki Deputy Commissioner Manzoor Ahmed Kunrani, SSP Muhammad Anwar Khetran, and Director NHA Sukkur.
The committee was informed that due to substandard repair work and inadequate supervision by the NHA, traffic accidents have become a daily routine, resulting in the loss of precious human lives.
It was also pointed out that two local toll plazas generate revenue of millions of rupees daily, but a major portion of this income is not being allocated for the welfare and facilities of commuters. This approximately 80-kilometer-long stretch of the highway is dangerously substandard, lacking necessary signboards, reflectors, and U-turns.
The lack of effective patrolling by the Motorway Police was also cited as a significant factor in the increase of accidents on this route.
Issuing a stern warning, Judge Khageja directed the NHA officials that in case of further commuter deaths, the authority could face legal action under sections 321 and 322 of the Pakistan Penal Code. He directed that the Chairman of the National Highway Authority be immediately informed about these serious issues.
The District and Sessions Judge directed the Deputy Commissioner to send a formal letter to the competent authorities demanding strict legal action against M/s Umar Jan and Company, as well as the Director Maintenance, NHA Sukkur, and other officials involved, for the poor-quality repair work.