Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced a financial compensation of Rs 9 lakh for the families of each of the 26 individuals who lost their lives in a horrific collision between a minibus and a container truck near Kaziranga National Park. The devastating crash, which claimed the lives of 14 women and 12 men while leaving several others injured, took place on Friday along National Highway 715 at Rangajan in Kaziranga, plunging the entire region into deep grief.
Breakdown of Financial Assistance and Relief
The total assistance package comprises funds from multiple sources, including Rs 5 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund, Rs 2 lakh provided by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority, and an additional Rs 2 lakh announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma traveled to the accident site on Saturday to personally assess the ground situation and interact with officials directing the emergency response operations.
Addressing the distribution mechanism, Sarma stated that cabinet ministers will personally hand over the compensation checks at the respective residences of the victims once post-mortem procedures are finalized and the bodies are transported home. Describing the calamity as deeply heartbreaking, the Chief Minister remarked that no amount of monetary compensation could ever replace a lost family member, particularly for households that suffered multiple casualties.
Personal Visits and Medical Deployments
Reassuring the grieving relatives that the administration stands firmly with them, Sarma announced plans to personally visit every affected household within the next two to three days. To accelerate post-mortem examinations and ensure optimal medical treatment for the survivors, the state government has deployed additional medical specialists from Guwahati and various other regional medical facilities to the affected districts.
Detailing his stance on the social media platform X, Sarma emphasized that while financial aid cannot fill the void left by the departed, the administration is committed to ensuring that no affected household has to navigate this tragedy in isolation. He also confirmed that a comprehensive inquiry has been ordered to examine every possible contributing factor behind the collision.
Addressing Road Safety and Policy Pressures
In a candid admission regarding road safety management, the Chief Minister acknowledged that certain relaxations in traffic regulations approved during a recent cabinet meeting held in Nalbari were influenced by external political pressure. He admitted that yielding to those pressures was a misstep that should have been avoided.
Reiterating his commitment to public safety, Sarma vowed that such compromises will not be repeated under any circumstances. He asserted that the administration will reinstate stringent traffic guidelines and enforce them with unwavering firmness, declaring that human lives must always take precedence over everything else.
