Doda Road Accident 2025: 7 Dead in Tempo Traveller Crash, Including 5-Year-Old Girl
By: Javid Amin | Srinagar | 15 July 2025
In a heartbreaking accident in Doda district of Jammu & Kashmir, an overloaded Tempo Traveller (JK06-4847) carrying 24 passengers—far exceeding its legal limit—skidded off the Doda-Bharth road near Ponda, plunging into a 300-foot-deep gorge. The accident claimed seven lives, including a five-year-old girl, and left 17 others injured, some critically.
This horrific incident has once again thrown light on the systemic flaws in road safety, particularly in India’s hilly terrains—highlighting the cost of overloading, poor infrastructure, and lack of accountability.
Accident at a Glance
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Date & Time: Tuesday Morning, July 2025
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Location: Ponda area, Doda-Bharth road, Doda district (J&K)
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Vehicle: Tempo Traveller (JK06-4847)
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Passengers: 24 (capacity: 14)
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Drop Height: 300 feet
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Deaths: 7
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Injured: 17
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Critical Cases Shifted to: GMC Jammu
Lives Lost in the Doda Tragedy
The following victims have been officially identified:
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Mohammad Ashraf (35)
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Mangta Wani (51)
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Atta Mohamed (33)
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Tariq Hussain (35)
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Rafiqa Begum (60)
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Uzma Jan (5) – youngest victim, deeply mourned
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Shakur Din (36)
Most of the victims hailed from Aul village, and were believed to be relatives or neighbors, traveling together for a family event. Their sudden deaths have devastated the small community.
Rescue Efforts: Swift, But Painful
Rescue operations began immediately after the accident as locals heard the crash and rushed to the site. They were joined by:
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J&K Police
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Indian Army personnel
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Disaster Response Teams
On-Site Supervision
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Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh
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Senior Superintendent of Police Sandeep Mehta
Both officials were present at the crash site to oversee rescue, evacuation, and medical transportation. Their presence offered some solace to the grieving families and survivors.
Critical Patients Airlifted
Three passengers in critical condition were airlifted to GMC Jammu, where intensive trauma care is being provided. The District Hospital Doda continues to treat the rest of the injured.
What Caused the Accident?
Preliminary investigations reveal multiple safety violations and environmental challenges:
Overloading
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24 passengers crammed into a vehicle built for 14
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Increases strain on suspension, brakes, and steering
Slippery Roads
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Overnight rain made the surface slippery
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No anti-skid materials or drainage slopes on this segment
Lack of Infrastructure
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The accident site had no crash barriers, parapets, or warning signs
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It’s part of a newly constructed stretch, raising questions about design standards
Possible Mechanical Failure
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Steering failure is under suspicion
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Forensic teams are inspecting the vehicle remains
Driver Accountability
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A case has been registered under rash and negligent driving
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Authorities are investigating licensing, vehicle condition, and maintenance records
Why This Tragedy Demands Action
This accident is not an isolated case. It reflects the chronic neglect of road safety in mountainous and rural regions. Key takeaways:
01. Infrastructure Gaps
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No guardrails or protective fencing in high-risk curves
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Poor road quality, especially during monsoons
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Inadequate lighting and visibility in remote stretches
02. Enforcement Lapses
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Overloaded vehicles often go unchecked
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Lack of regular inspections and surprise checks on high-traffic rural routes
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Private and shared vehicles carry passengers far beyond capacity for extra profit
03. Emergency Readiness
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Lack of trauma centers or ambulance access in remote hills
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No GPS-based emergency dispatch for faster response
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Limited training in mass casualty handling for local hospitals
Official Statements and Public Response
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha
“Pained by the loss of lives… My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Prayers for the injured.”
Former CM Omar Abdullah
“Deeply saddened by the tragedy in Doda. Directed authorities to ensure all medical and financial assistance.”
Union Minister Jitendra Singh
“Every effort is being made to provide the best possible medical care to the injured. The incident must be a wake-up call.”
Local Residents Speak
“We have been pleading for guardrails and barriers for months. No one listens until lives are lost,” said a grieving local.
Past Incidents in Doda: A Pattern of Neglect
Doda has witnessed multiple deadly accidents over the past decade, most linked to:
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Overcrowded public transport
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Steep inclines with sharp turns
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Unfenced drop-offs and narrow lanes
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Old or refurbished vehicles without permits
Despite repeated tragedies, safety audits, road improvements, and driver licensing checks have often been delayed or inadequately enforced.
Solutions & Reforms: What Needs to Change Now
For Government & Transport Authorities
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Immediate installation of guardrails on accident-prone roads
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Regular structural audits for roads in hilly areas
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Introduce vehicle tracking systems in commercial public transport
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Strict penalties for overloading and passenger violations
For Health & Disaster Agencies
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Set up mobile trauma care units
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Develop a road crash emergency response app for locals
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Train local youth and volunteers in first aid and trauma support
For Schools & Public Awareness
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Incorporate road safety awareness in school curricula
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Conduct community workshops on travel precautions and safe driving
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Promote reporting of vehicle overloading anonymously via helplines
The Human Cost: A Five-Year-Old’s Life Cut Short
Perhaps the most gut-wrenching reminder of the tragedy’s cruelty is the death of Uzma Jan, a five-year-old girl, who was simply traveling with her family.
Her innocent life was snuffed out by systemic failures—a heartbreaking testament to how policy gaps translate into personal grief.
Her image will now symbolize a call for accountability, safety, and reform.
Community Vigilance Is Key
Until policies catch up and infrastructure is fixed, community action is crucial:
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Refuse to travel in overloaded vehicles—even when in a hurry
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Speak up against unsafe driving or poorly maintained public transport
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Report dangerous road conditions to local media or public representatives
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Demand transparency in accident investigation reports
Bottom-Line: A Tragedy That Must Not Repeat
The Doda road accident of July 2025 is more than a crash—it’s a collective failure of enforcement, infrastructure, and accountability.
Seven lives—including a child—are gone. Let this not be just another statistic. Let it be the spark that ignites change.
Because in a country where every hill road is a lifeline, road safety isn’t optional—it’s essential.
