GUWAHATI, Nov 13: Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticised the state government over the construction and maintenance of national highways after the fatal road accident at Rangajan near Kaziranga.
Gogoi alleged that poor-quality highway work, corruption and an alleged nexus between contractors and politicians had put passengers' lives at risk. He said national highways in Assam had become centres of corruption and claimed that poor construction had led to accidents every month.
He also questioned why the Centre was collecting toll tax without improving highway conditions. Gogoi said the accident could perhaps have been prevented if the highway had been properly built and maintained.
A passenger mini-bus collided head-on with a container truck on National Highway 715 at Rangajan near Hatikhuli Tea Estate, under the Kohora forest range office in Golaghat district, on November 13. At least 24 people, including several college students and two women, were reported dead.
Police suspected that the passenger vehicle was speeding and lost control before hitting the container truck. Golaghat Senior Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka said the vehicle was also alleged to have violated speed restrictions imposed near the national park.
The vehicle had earlier been fined Rs 38,500 through 12 paid challans, while another fine of Rs 4,000 remained unpaid. However, the previous traffic violations did not establish the cause of the accident. Police need to conduct a detailed investigation to determine the exact cause.
