HT Digital
Tuesday, October 15: Assam has witnessed a slight reduction in road accidents during the Durga Puja festivities this year, marking a minor shift from the alarming trend of rising incidents over the past few years. According to a report by the 108 Mrityunjoy emergency response services, there was a 3.6% decrease in road accident cases during the festival compared to the previous year. Emergency teams responded to a total of 742 road accidents this year, a slight reduction from the 769 cases attended to during the same period in 2023.
In contrast, 2023 saw a significant spike in road accidents, with a 19% increase in incidents compared to 2022. During the Durga Puja celebrations in 2023, the 108 emergency services were called to respond to 643 cases, up from the 541 incidents recorded in 2021. This steady increase in accident numbers over the years had raised concerns about road safety during one of the state’s most widely celebrated festivals.
Speaking about the recent dip in numbers, Dhurjyoti Prasad Bhattacharya, the spokesperson for the 108 Mrityunjoy emergency response services, expressed cautious optimism. He remarked, “The number of accident cases has decreased across the state compared to the previous years. However, this tally only represents the response calls catered by 108. The numbers might vary if the cases reported to police stations and hospitals are also taken into account.” Bhattacharya emphasized that while the decrease is a positive development, the figures provided by 108 services are only part of the larger picture of road safety during the festival.
The report also provided a day-wise breakdown of the road accidents attended to by the emergency response teams during the five-day celebration. On Sasthi (October 19), the team responded to 103 cases, followed by 127 on Saptami, 191 on Mahashtami, 187 on Navami, and 134 on Vijaya Dashami. The surge in accidents on Mahashtami and Navami, traditionally the most significant days of the Durga Puja festival, reflects the heightened traffic and movement during these periods.
Among the state’s 31 districts, Sonitpur reported the highest number of road accidents, with 66 cases over the festival period. Kamrup rural followed closely with 60 cases, while Golaghat registered 57 cases. Kamrup (metro), which includes the state’s capital Guwahati, recorded 54 incidents. On the other hand, South Salmara recorded the lowest number of accidents during the festival, with only two reported cases. These numbers highlight the varying levels of road safety and awareness in different parts of the state during Durga Puja.
The state’s primary hospital, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), also reported a significant number of accident-related injuries during the festivities. According to the hospital’s superintendent, Abhijit Sarma, 120 individuals, including both children and adults, were admitted to the hospital’s casualty ward with injuries from road accidents between 8 a.m. on October 12 and 8 a.m. on October 14. These numbers underscore the continued need for vigilance and precaution, especially during busy festival periods when traffic is at its peak.
The decrease in road accidents during Durga Puja this year is a welcome relief for a state that has been grappling with an increase in such incidents in recent years. However, the fact that there were still over 700 accidents during the festival highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring road safety during major public celebrations. Festival times often bring a significant increase in vehicular movement, with people traveling to visit pandals, attend rituals, and participate in celebrations, leading to a higher risk of accidents.
Efforts to reduce road accidents during Durga Puja and other large-scale festivals have included increased traffic monitoring, awareness campaigns, and stricter enforcement of road safety laws. However, as Bhattacharya pointed out, the figures reported by the emergency services may not fully capture the extent of the issue, as many accidents go unreported or are handled by local police and hospitals without the involvement of 108 services.
As Assam moves forward, the state must continue its efforts to improve road safety, particularly during periods of increased traffic like the Durga Puja festival. With better coordination between law enforcement, emergency services, and the public, there is hope that the number of road accidents can continue to decrease, ensuring that future celebrations can be enjoyed without the shadow of preventable tragedies.
The 3.6% decrease in road accidents this year may be a small step, but it is a step in the right direction toward a safer and more responsible festive season in Assam.
