Agartala, Jan 30 (NationPress) Tragically, four individuals, including two women, lost their lives and two others sustained serious injuries following a head-on collision between a 12-wheeler goods truck and a passenger auto-rickshaw on the Assam-Agartala National Highway in Tripura’s Unakoti district on Friday, as reported by police.

A police spokesperson informed that the incident took place at Sidangchhara under the jurisdiction of the Kumarghat police station when the truck, loaded with goods and en route to Agartala, collided with the auto-rickshaw, which was heading towards Pecharthal.

Rescue efforts were promptly initiated by fire service personnel who extricated six injured passengers, including the auto-rickshaw driver, from the wreckage and transported them to the Kumarghat sub-divisional hospital for urgent medical attention.

According to the attending physician, two of the victims were pronounced dead on arrival, while four others were in critical condition and subsequently referred to the Unakoti district hospital located in Kailashahar.

Hospital officials later confirmed that two additional injured individuals succumbed to their injuries during treatment, raising the death toll to four. One of the survivors was later transferred to Silchar Medical College in southern Assam for advanced care.

The deceased have been identified as Bhaskar Goswami (47), Kanchana Chakma (55), Hari Shankar Debatrata (50), and Gouri Mili Chakma (35). Goswami was the driver of the auto-rickshaw, while the others were passengers. The injured individuals are Jatrapati Chakma (42) and Mayarani Debnath (55).

Upon receiving notifications, Kumarghat Sub-Divisional Police Officer Utpalendu Debnath and Officer-in-Charge Sanjay Das rushed to the scene to oversee the rescue operations. The truck driver fled the scene post-accident. A case has been registered, and an investigation is currently underway. The truck involved has been seized, and legal procedures are being initiated.

In response to rising road accidents, the Tripura government has embarked on implementing stringent road safety measures, including the 'No Helmet, No Petrol' and 'No Helmet, No Attendance' initiatives.

The focus is on compulsory helmet use, adherence to traffic regulations, and responsible driving, with campaigns being launched at significant road junctions and public areas.

In accordance with guidelines from the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, all district administrations in Tripura have embraced the ‘Zero Fatality Month’ initiative aimed at reducing road-related fatalities to zero. Collaborative efforts involving traffic police, transport department officials, civil defense volunteers, NGOs, and community members are in progress.

Awareness campaigns, rallies, discussions, outreach programs, and social media initiatives are being organized to promote traffic discipline and safe driving.

During a recent review meeting on road safety, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha instructed all relevant departments to adopt the ‘Gujarat model of road safety’ to establish a secure road network in the state.

The Chief Minister emphasized the need for incorporating these principles into Tripura’s road safety framework.

According to a Transport Department official, the Gujarat model focuses on the integrated application of advanced technology, stringent law enforcement, and prompt post-accident rescue along with immediate medical assistance.