NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday expressed grief over the deaths of at least 26 people in a road accident near Kaziranga in Assam and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.The victims, including college students, were travelling in a mini-bus carrying around 40 passengers when it collided head-on with a trailer truck on National Highway 715 on Friday afternoon.The mini-bus was travelling from Jorhat towards Guwahati when the accident took place at Rangajan, near Hathikuli Tea Estate in the Kohora range of Golaghat district. The impact of the collision left the bus completely damaged.“Deeply anguished by the loss of lives in the mishap in Golaghat district of Assam. I extend my condolences to the bereaved families in this hour of grief. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a post on X.“An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each of those who lost their lives. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” it added.The injured passengers were initially admitted to Kohora Model Hospital, close to the accident site. Of them, 13 were referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.Cabinet minister Atul Bora, who reached the spot shortly after the accident, said the impact on the mini-bus suggested that it may have been speeding. However, he said the exact circumstances would emerge during the investigation.“The impact on the mini bus indicates over speeding. However, the circumstances leading to the fatal road accident will come out during investigation,” Bora said.Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also expressed grief over the accident and said the state government’s priority was to ensure proper treatment for the injured.“I am deeply distressed by the tragic accident in Kaziranga earlier today. All of Assam stands with the affected families in this hour of grief. Our foremost priority now is to ensure that the injured receive the best possible medical care without delay,” Sarma said.
Share your thoughts in the comments
Be respectful · TOI community guidelines
“State Minister Atul Bora is at the site and personally overseeing the relief arrangements. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured and for strength for the bereaved families,” he added.Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi also extended her condolences to the families of the victims, saying “the news of the large number of deaths in the horrific road accident in Kaziranga, Assam, is deeply saddening. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones. I pray for the speedy recovery of the injured.”