Deplorable road resulting in frequent and fatal accidents
JOWAI: The deplorable condition of the arterial NH 44, especially between Sonapur and Malidor villages has been the cause of misery for local residents and travelers alike for years, but the neglected highway has turned into a killer road with several lives being lost in recent times, the latest case being that of the helper of a truck who was run over by an oil tanker at Malidor when he was checking the tyres of his truck on Wednesday last week.
Sources informed that the helper of the cement truck had got down to checks the tyres of his truck when the tanker crushed him to death while trying to avoid a large pothole.
Just a day earlier, a night bus bound for Tripura went off the road when the driver attempted to avoid a big pothole and fell down into a deep gorge before reaching Ratacherra weighbridge. One commuter identified as Saurakh Chowdhury (47) died on the spot and several others were injured. The injured were rushed to Khliehriat CHC, a distance of around 75 km from Ratacherra.
Earlier on January 26 last, 11 passengers were killed and over a score injured when a night bus skidded off the road and fell into a deep gorge at Tongseng village in East Jaintia Hills.
“Vehicles either dash against other vehicles or fall down into the gorge when trying to avoid big potholes on the roads,” alleged
) Khamsngurbha Pohiing, headman of Ratacherra village.
He requested the concerned authorities to look into the matter at the earliest so as to avoid more human tragedies in future.
Meanwhile, the Jaintia Youth Federation has asked the NHAI to start construction of the proposed two-lane highway from Jowai to Malidor at the earliest to prevent loss of more lives.
Besides fatal accidents, the deplorable condition of the highway coupled with frequent earth slips during the Monsoon season results in massive traffic jams that last for hours. The helpless commuters have to endure long periods of time without food or water.
NH 44 is the only road that presently connects Barak Valley of Assam, Tripura and Mizoram with mainland India.