Khetri bus accident has triggered fresh concern over road safety in Assam after another passenger bus overturned on the highway on Tuesday morning, September 1. The incident occurred a day after a deadly crash on the same stretch near Khetri in Sonapur.
The latest bus was travelling towards Lakhimpur when it reportedly lost control on a damaged section of the highway and overturned. Several passengers reportedly had narrow escapes. Authorities had not immediately confirmed injuries in the latest incident.
Khetri bus accident follows fatal crash
The Khetri bus accident comes less than 24 hours after a fatal collision on National Highway 27. On August 30, a passenger Traveller collided head-on with a truck near the Nalagedera-Tetelia area under Khetri police station.
The earlier crash initially left several people dead at the scene. The death toll later rose to seven after more victims succumbed to their injuries. Seven other people were reported to be receiving treatment at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital.
Police said the passenger vehicle was travelling towards Guwahati from the Nagaon side. Preliminary reports indicated that the vehicle lost control before crossing the divider and hitting the oncoming truck.
The bus involved in Tuesday’s incident was identified in local reports as ‘Aziba’, with registration number AS-05 AC-8786. Reports differed on its exact starting point, but agreed that it was travelling towards Lakhimpur when the accident occurred. The vehicle overturned after the driver reportedly lost control on the damaged road surface. No confirmed casualty figure was available when the report was published.
Khetri bus accident renews pothole concerns
Road conditions have become a central concern following the two incidents. Officials and local residents have pointed to potholes and poor maintenance on the affected stretch of NH-27.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the fatal crash site on Monday. He said a police investigation had indicated that inadequate highway maintenance was a factor in the accident. However, the exact chain of events leading to the crash remains subject to investigation.
The latest Khetri bus accident has added to concerns among commuters who regularly use the busy Guwahati-Sonapur corridor. The repeated incidents have also increased pressure on authorities to address damaged sections quickly.
Repair deadline after deadly crash
The administration has now given the National Highways Authority of India a seven-day deadline to repair potholes along the Khanapara-Sonapur stretch. NHAI agreed to complete the identified repair work within the deadline.
A monitoring committee has also been formed to track the progress. It includes officials from the district administration, transport department and police, along with civil society representatives. A special District Road Safety Committee meeting is scheduled for September 3 to discuss safety concerns on the Sonapur highway.
NHAI has also indicated that action will be initiated against contractors linked to the affected stretch. Officials said an investigation into possible lapses is underway.
Khetri bus accident puts highway safety under scrutiny
The back-to-back incidents have intensified scrutiny of NH-27 near Khetri. For commuters, the latest crash has raised questions about whether immediate repairs can reduce risks on the road.
Residents and local organisations had already voiced concerns over potholes following Sunday’s fatal collision. Protests were also reported, including disruption at the Nazirakhat toll gate, as people demanded action over the condition of the highway.
Meanwhile, authorities are examining the circumstances of both incidents separately. It is important to distinguish confirmed facts from allegations about road maintenance, as investigations into responsibility are still continuing.
Khetri bus accident highlights urgent need for repairs
The latest Khetri bus accident has renewed attention on a highway stretch already facing public criticism. While details about injuries and the precise cause of Tuesday’s overturning were still awaited, the incident underscores the risks faced by passengers on damaged roads.
The seven deaths in Sunday’s crash have already prompted official action, including a repair deadline and monitoring mechanism. Now, the focus will be on whether those measures improve road conditions quickly and prevent another tragedy.
For commuters, timely repairs, effective monitoring and careful driving will remain critical as authorities work to restore safety along the Khetri section of NH-27.
