Assam bus tragedy: Govt orders high-level probe

Following Monday night's bus tragedy that claimed lives of 31 persons of a marriage party at Charabori on Hajo- Guwahati Road in Kamrup District in Assam, the government has a appointed a one-man inquiry commission headed by Hemanga Kumar Sharma, commissioner of Lower Assam Division.

The commission will look into the circumstances leading to the tragic accident. 

The ill-fated bus fell into the rivulet while crossing over a dilapidated wooden bridge on the state highway that connects Guwahati to Nalbari.

Following the accident, the government is under severe criticism for failing to construct a concrete bridge where at least four other major accidents have occurred over the years, killing total 65 persons.

The locals of the area where the accident took place on May 30 have been demanding construction of a ready-mix cement concrete bridge over the gorge.

Killer gorge

Forty-two passengers were killed when a bus fell into a ditch connected to gorge in 1986. A similar accident occurred in 1988, killing 12 passengers. In 2000, nine members of a cultural (bihu) troupe were killed when their bus plunged into the same gorge. Two persons were drowned in 2003 when a boat capsized in the rivulet.

Even after claiming so many lives, the wooden bridge was not replaced.

The notification ordering an enquiry issued by the state government on Wednesday further said it would find out lapses, if any, on the part of any authorities/persons that caused the accidents.

It would also suggest measures to be taken to prevent recurrence of such incidents in the future, and any other matter which in the opinion of the enquiry authority is required to be looked into.

Meanwhile, Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has instructed the state Public Works Department to construct a concrete bridge over the gorge, besides asking the department to make detailed survey of all such bridges across the state.

Image: The ill-fated bus