GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday, August 31, visited the site of the Sonapur accident along with senior police and administrative officials and announced a one-time financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.
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Speaking to the media, Sarma said a police probe had found that the maintenance of the highway was inadequate.
He said the Chief Secretary had spoken with the Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), who assured that the affected stretch of the highway would be repaired very soon.
At least seven people, including the driver, were killed and several others injured after a passenger vehicle collided head-on with a truck on NH-27 near Khetri’s Nalgedra area on Sunday evening.
According to preliminary information, the vehicle was heading towards Guwahati from the Nagaon side when a tyre burst after it hit a large pothole. The vehicle reportedly lost control, crossed the divider and collided with the oncoming truck.
The injured were rescued and shifted to GMCH for treatment. Khetri Police personnel also reached the spot and joined the rescue operation.