Guwahati: Six people were killed, and several others were injured after a passenger traveller collided head-on with an oncoming truck at Khetri in Sonapur on the outskirts of Guwahati on Sunday night.
According to preliminary reports, the passenger vehicle was travelling from Nagaon towards Guwahati when it allegedly lost control after hitting a large pothole on National Highway-27. The vehicle veered across the highway divider and crashed into a truck coming from the opposite direction.
The impact left the passenger vehicle severely mangled, trapping several people inside. Rescue teams had to cut open the vehicle to evacuate those trapped.
Two passengers, identified as Inchan Ali of Kapatatka in Sonapur and Tafzul Ali of Kahikuchi in Dimoria, reportedly died on the spot.
Nine injured passengers were subsequently taken to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where three more were declared dead. The deceased included Golap Das and Jyotika Ronghang, while the identity of another victim was yet to be confirmed. Two other injured passengers were reported to be undergoing treatment in the ICU.
The accident triggered anger among local residents, who blocked NH-27 and demanded immediate action over the condition of the highway. Protesters alleged that large potholes along the stretch have contributed to frequent accidents and accused the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) of failing to address the road condition.
Following the protest, Khetri police detained two NHAI officials for questioning, according to the report.
The road condition also came under renewed scrutiny after another accident was reported at nearby Dhupguri early Monday, where a goods-laden truck overturned on the highway. Locals claimed that around 10 to 12 minor and major accidents occur daily along the Sonapur stretch because of potholes and deteriorating road conditions.
Residents further alleged that repeated accidents have resulted in deaths and serious injuries, while adequate repairs have not been carried out despite mounting concerns.
The latest crash has intensified demands for urgent repairs and greater accountability over road safety along the NH-27 stretch.
Police are continuing their investigation to establish the exact circumstances of the collision and identify all those who died in the accident.