Northeast Desk, 8th May: Amidst a series of road accidents involving dumper trucks in West Garo Hills, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has directed the district administration to launch a road safety awareness campaign on May 8.
In a tweet, Sangma emphasized the need for action, stating, “With frequent accidents taking place in West Garo Hills district, especially with the regular movement of dumpers, because of the ongoing construction works, I have asked the DC West Garo Hills to conduct an awareness campaign on road safety with different stakeholders.”
The Chief Minister’s directive follows a recent incident where two women were critically injured after being hit by a dumper truck near ICFAI University in Ballonggre, Tura. Tragically, one of the victims, a student, lost her lower limb in the accident.
The community’s frustration over these accidents erupted into protests in Tura on April 29, as local organizations staged a sit-in demonstration outside the West Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner’s office. The protest stemmed from long-standing complaints about the reckless driving of heavy vehicles.
In response, the Deputy Commissioner issued an order imposing restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles carrying goods exceeding 9 MT within the Tura Municipal Area. Trucks with lighter loads are allowed to operate within the town only between 9 pm and 6 am, with exemptions for government vehicles, tow trucks, public transport, and essential services.
While these measures provide some relief, the Chief Minister’s call for a dedicated road safety campaign underscores the pressing need to address the issue comprehensively, engaging all stakeholders.