Pathsala: Two young men have died in separate road accidents on National Highway 127(A) in Assam’s Bajali district within a week, prompting residents to raise concerns over hazardous road conditions and electricity poles obstructing the carriageway.
The approximately 38-km stretch from Zero Point in Pathsala to the Bhutan border has several reported hazards, including deep potholes, sharp curves, poor drainage and electricity poles located on or close to the road.
On the night of October 21, Navajit Talukdar of Ghatbar village died on the spot after his motorcycle hit an electricity pole at Kenduguri in Bajali around 11 pm. David Das, who was pillion rider, sustained critical injuries and is undergoing treatment.
In a separate accident on October 23, Dipak Roy of Bhotanta Mohitara village was killed on the spot in the Ghatbar area along the same highway.
The two deaths have heightened concerns among residents, who say the road conditions and roadside electricity poles pose risks to motorists, particularly two-wheeler riders.
Residents have identified a roughly two-kilometre stretch between Pathsala Zero Point and Kenduguri as particularly hazardous, alleging that several electricity poles stand on or immediately beside the carriageway, obstructing the safe movement of vehicles.
They have urged the district administration, National Highways authorities and the electricity department to conduct a joint safety inspection and take corrective measures. Their demands include relocating hazardous electricity poles, repairing potholes and installing warning signs and protective barriers at accident-prone locations.
Residents have called for urgent intervention to address the reported hazards and prevent further accidents on the highway, which connects India and Bhutan.