Guwahati: Seven people, including the driver, were killed after a passenger vehicle collided head-on with a truck on NH-27 near Sonapur on Sunday evening.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the accident site on Monday along with senior police and administrative officials and announced a one-time ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the next of kin of the deceased.
Speaking to the media during the visit, Sarma said a police inquiry had found that maintenance of the highway stretch was inadequate.
He said the Chief Secretary had spoken to the Chairman of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), who assured that the affected stretch would be repaired soon.
According to preliminary information, the vehicle was travelling towards Guwahati from Nagaon when one of its tyres burst after hitting a large pothole. The vehicle reportedly lost control, crossed the divider and collided with an oncoming truck.
The injured were rescued and shifted to the Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) for treatment. Personnel from Khetri police station also reached the spot and assisted in the rescue operation.