Four killed in truck–auto collision in Tripura
Agartala Jan 30: At least four persons, including two women, lost their lives while two others sustained critical injuries after a heavy goods vehicle collided head-on with a passenger auto-rickshaw on the Assam–Agartala National Highway in Tripura’s Unakoti district on Friday, police officials said.
Accident at Sidangchhara
According to the police, the fatal mishap occurred at Sidangchhara under the jurisdiction of Kumarghat police station when a 12-wheeler truck, loaded with goods and moving towards Agartala, crashed into an auto-rickshaw heading in the opposite direction towards Pecharthal.
Fire and emergency service teams rushed to the spot and extricated six injured occupants, including the auto-rickshaw driver, from the badly damaged three-wheeler. All the injured were immediately taken to Kumarghat Sub-Divisional Hospital for emergency treatment.
Death toll
Doctors on duty at the hospital stated that two of the victims were brought dead, while the remaining four were in a critical condition and referred to the Unakoti District Hospital at Kailashahar. Hospital authorities later confirmed that two more injured passengers succumbed to their injuries during treatment, raising the death toll to four.
The condition of the two surviving victims remains serious, and one of them was subsequently shifted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital in Assam for advanced medical care.
Victims identified
Police identified the deceased as auto-rickshaw driver Bhaskar Goswami (47), Kanchana Chakma (55), Hari Shankar Debatrata (50) and Gouri Mili Chakma (35). The injured were identified as Jatrapati Chakma (42) and Mayarani Debnath (55), both passengers of the auto-rickshaw.
On receiving information, Kumarghat Sub-Divisional Police Officer Utpalendu Debnath and Officer-in-Charge of Kumarghat police station Sanjay Das rushed to the accident site and supervised the rescue operations. The driver of the truck reportedly fled the scene following the collision.
Police have registered a case in connection with the incident, detained the offending vehicle and initiated legal procedures. An investigation into the cause of the accident is underway.
Meanwhile, the Tripura government has intensified road safety enforcement across the state to reduce accidents and fatalities. Measures such as the ‘No Helmet, No Petrol’ and ‘No Helmet, No Attendance’ policies are being strictly implemented.
Authorities are placing strong emphasis on mandatory helmet use, compliance with traffic rules and responsible driving habits. Awareness campaigns are being organised at major road intersections and public locations, involving traffic police, transport officials and volunteers.
‘Zero Fatality Month’ initiative
In accordance with directives from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, all district administrations in Tripura have adopted the ‘Zero Fatality Month’ programme aimed at eliminating road accident-related deaths. Coordinated efforts are being carried out by traffic police, the transport department, civil defence personnel, NGOs and community members.
Gujarat model to be adopted
Tripura Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha, while reviewing road safety measures earlier this month, instructed concerned departments to adopt the Gujarat model of road safety to develop a safer and accident-free road network in the state.
Officials were directed to integrate the model’s core elements into Tripura’s road safety framework. A senior Transport Department official said the Gujarat model focuses on the combined use of modern technology, strict enforcement of traffic laws and prompt post-accident rescue operations, ensuring immediate medical assistance to victims.