Golaghat highway accident

On January 3, 2024, an accident in Golaghat district, Assam, India involving a bus occurred when the vehicle collided with a truck killing 12 and injuring 30.

The accident was caused by dense fog, diversion of traffic to one lane due to road traffic and that the coal-laden truck was running illegally.

Many people exressed their condoleances including the president of India Droupadi Murmu, prime minister Narendra Modi and many other ministers. Compensation were paid from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund.

By a new SOP it became mandatory to travel for a picnic only after sunrise and before sunset.

Accident
On 3 January 2024 a bus with around 50 passengers was traveling from Kamarbandha Bos to the Tilinga temple in the Tinsukia district. At around 4:30AM the bus collided with a coal laden truck on the highway near Dergaon in the Golaghat district. At the time of the accdint there was dense fog. Local residents helped pulling out the injured people from the bus and arranged for ambulances.

Cause and investigation
An investigation was started by the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). As key factors for the accident were in an initially report stated the diversion of traffic and poor visibility due to the fog. At the location of the accident there was diversion of traffic to one lane because the NHIDCL was doing repair works on the other lane of the highway at a stretch of around 600 metres. There were allegations that no proper signs were in place. Transport commissioner Ankur Jain was sent to the disaster site for further investigations.

Later, on 7 January 2024, the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti alleges that the coal-laden truck was running illegally, driving at a very high speed and being responsible for the accident.

Reactions
President of India Droupadi Murmu send her condoleances to the families and started praying for the injured people.

Prime minister Narendra Modi also condoled to the families and sent strength to the injured people. Furthermore he announced from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund an ex gratia of Rs 200,000 for the relatives of the victimes and Rs 50,000 each for injured people.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Transport Minister Parimal Suklabaidya also expressed their condolences. Due to the accident Sarma announced an SOP that it makes it mandatory that people don't travel for a picnic before sunrise and that they return before sunset.