Guwahati: Senior Congress leader and former Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Assam Legislative Assembly, Debabrata Saikia has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce a special development and conservation package for the Kaziranga region and order an independent safety audit of National Highway 715, following the November 13 accident at Rangajan that claimed 26 lives and left several others critically injured.
In a seven-page representation to the Prime Minister, Saikia sought a Special Kaziranga Conservation, Road Safety, Healthcare and Livelihood Development Package, arguing that financial compensation alone cannot address the systemic failures exposed by the tragedy.
While acknowledging the Centre’s immediate announcement of financial assistance, the Congress leader said lasting intervention is needed to address highway safety, healthcare infrastructure, environmental degradation and the economic security of communities living around Kaziranga.
Drawing on his visit to the accident site, Saikia flagged the poor condition of the NH-715 stretch and alleged serious lapses in the implementation of basic road safety measures.
He also criticised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma’s response to the accident, saying the chief minister’s visit, compensation announcement and inquiry has not adequately addressed the concerns raised by local residents over highway safety.
Saikia said the focus on a possible medical emergency involving the deceased driver should not deflect attention from infrastructure deficiencies and the accountability of the authorities concerned.
He further pointed to the chief minister’s reported admission that certain traffic restrictions had earlier been relaxed under political pressure, arguing that this makes an independent probe into the administrative decisions all the more necessary.
In his representation, Saikia outlined seven major areas of concern and submitted an 11-point charter of demands.
Saikia demanded an independent technical and road safety audit of NH-715 by external experts with no association with the agencies responsible for the existing road works. He called for expediting the approved Kaliabor-Numaligarh highway upgradation project, including elevated wildlife corridors, while introducing immediate safety measures on the existing highway rather than waiting for the larger project to be completed.
He sought a modern government hospital in the Kaziranga-Bokakhat area, equipped with a full-fledged trauma centre, emergency surgery facilities, intensive care units, a blood bank, diagnostic services and advanced ambulances. The facility, he said, should cater to local residents, tourists and commuters.
Saikia alleged that a government hospital facility in Kaziranga was being used to accommodate security personnel deployed for a controversial private luxury hotel project under construction at Inglay Pathar. He said he had personally verified the matter during his field visit.
Demanding an independent inquiry, he called for action against officials responsible and the immediate restoration of the premises for public healthcare services.
Saikia called for an independent investigation into alleged illegal stone extraction, hill cutting, mining and stone-crushing activities in the Karbi Anglong hills adjoining Kaziranga, despite judicial restrictions. He demanded strict enforcement of Supreme Court directions and restoration of ecologically degraded areas.
He criticised the prolonged delay in notifying the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), calling for a scientifically sound notification based on public consultation. He cautioned against environmental regulations that could facilitate damaging commercial projects while placing disproportionate restrictions on ordinary residents and their lawful livelihoods.
Saikia sought clarity on the acquisition of Methoni Tea Estate, adjoining the Panbari wildlife corridor, by Reliance-associated RCP Solutions and Services Private Limited. He also raised concerns over the Ambani family owned private zoo Vantara’s proposal to establish three wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centres in Assam.
Demanding public disclosure of the extent and intended use of the landholdings, he said apprehensions over private zoological or captive-animal facilities near Kaziranga must be addressed. He also called for correction of discrepancies in official records to ensure the protection of the Panbari wildlife corridor.
Saikia demanded compensation of at least Rs 20 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased victim, inclusive of the Rs 9 lakh already announced by the Centre and the state government. Families that lost more than one member should receive additional assistance.
He also sought free medical treatment for injured survivors, adequate disability compensation, scholarships for dependent children and sustained livelihood support for families that lost their primary breadwinners.
Calling for a dedicated Central programme for communities in villages surrounding Kaziranga, Saikia proposed support for farmers, tea garden workers, small traders and unemployed youth. The programme, he said, should cover community-based tourism, homestays, sustainable agriculture, handicrafts, drinking water, village roads and flood protection.
He also called for an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism with fixed deadlines and publicly accessible progress reports to ensure accountability in implementation.
Recalling Modi’s visit to Kaziranga National Park on March 9, 2024, Saikia said conservation must go hand in hand with the protection of local communities and their livelihoods.
“Protecting Kaziranga must not mean neglecting the ordinary and economically vulnerable people living alongside it,” he said, stressing that development should never come at the cost of the forests, hills, rivers and wildlife corridors vital to the survival of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.