A new report by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has laid bare a disturbing picture of road safety in Assam. In the past five years alone, the state witnessed over 36,800 accidents and the loss of more than 15,000 lives—a toll higher than in any other North-eastern state.
The year-wise data shows little sign of relief. In 2019, Assam recorded 8,350 mishaps with 3,208 deaths. Though the pandemic year 2020 saw fewer vehicles on the road, it still registered 6,595 crashes and 2,629 fatalities. The following years saw the numbers climb back, and by 2023, the state reached 7,421 accidents and 3,296 deaths, marking a 10% jump in fatalities compared to 2022.
Officials say overspeeding remains the single largest killer, causing nearly seven in every ten deaths. Wrong-side driving and reckless maneuvers account for another significant share. Assam’s accident severity rate of 44.4 deaths per 100 crashes is well above the national average of 36, underlining the lethal nature of collisions on its roads.
While neighbouring states like Tripura and Manipur recorded accidents in the hundreds, Assam’s count ran into thousands each year, leaving experts worried about enforcement, road design, and emergency response.
The Ministry stressed that its strategy now rests on the “four Es”—Education, Engineering, Enforcement, and Emergency care. New tools such as electronic accident reporting, vehicle inspection centers, and road safety audits are being pushed to the states. Yet, the Assam figures suggest that without stronger on-ground enforcement and driver awareness, technology alone may not bend the curve.
For the families of 15,163 who died between 2019 and 2023, these statistics are not just numbers—they are reminders of a crisis that still runs unchecked on Assam’s highways.
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