GUWAHATI: Locals in Sonapur staged a protest at a toll gate on NH-27 on Monday, August 31, following a fatal road accident that claimed at least six lives on Sunday evening.
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According to sources, the locals gathered in large numbers and decided to disrupt normal operations at the toll gate in protest against the poor condition of the road.
The protesters reportedly did not allow toll gate operators to collect tolls. Several police personnel were also seen at the site.
An NHAI official told the media that all defects on the NH would be repaired within seven days. The official also said strict action would be taken against the agency and the consultant responsible for the highway's maintenance.
“It is their duty to identify defects and timely supervise the roads. We will take action against the contractor and the consultant. We have also terminated one of our site engineers,” the NHAI official said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the accident site on Monday along with senior police and administrative officials. He said a police probe had found that maintenance of the highway was inadequate.
The Chief Minister said the Chief Secretary had spoken with the NHAI Chairman, who assured that the highway stretch would be repaired very soon.
Sarma also announced a one-time financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.
At least six people, including the driver of a commercial passenger vehicle, were killed and several others injured after the vehicle collided head-on with a truck on the Guwahati-Sonapur highway near Khetri on Sunday evening.
The incident took place in the Nalgedra area near Khetri on NH-27.
The passenger vehicle was headed towards Guwahati from the Nagaon side when the accident occurred.
According to preliminary information, one of the tyres of the vehicle burst after it hit a large pothole, causing the driver to lose control.
The vehicle then apparently crossed the road divider and collided head-on with a truck approaching from the opposite direction.
The impact severely damaged the vehicle and left several passengers injured.
The injured were rescued and shifted to GMCH for treatment.
Personnel from Khetri Police Station reached the accident site and joined the rescue operation.