A tragic accident in Assam’s Baksa district claimed the life of a tractor driver on April 10 when the vehicle overturned near Kachittari in Saudorbitha. The tractor, which was transporting sand, met with the fatal mishap due to the poor condition of the road. Eyewitnesses said the vehicle lost balance while navigating a particularly damaged stretch, causing it to tip over instantly. The driver, who was alone in the vehicle, died on the spot as the heavy machinery crushed him under its weight.
Residents rushed to the scene as soon as they heard the loud crash. Local youths and nearby shopkeepers tried to rescue the driver, but he had already succumbed to his injuries. The impact of the fall and the weight of the overturned tractor left little chance for survival. By the time police arrived, villagers had already begun the grim task of recovering the body. The driver’s identity was quickly confirmed by local residents, who knew him as a daily wage earner involved in transporting construction material.
Family members reached the site after being informed by neighbors. They broke down in grief upon seeing the lifeless body. The tragic incident has left the village in mourning, with many questioning why heavy vehicles continue to travel on poorly maintained roads despite the obvious risks. Locals alleged that this stretch of the road had been in a deplorable state for several months and had caused multiple smaller accidents in the past.
The local administration sent a police team from the nearest outpost to manage the situation. Officers took statements from witnesses and recorded details of the accident. They assured the family that necessary procedures would follow and that they would try to expedite compensation from the government. Authorities sent the body for postmortem to complete formalities before handing it over to the family for final rites.
Residents criticized the authorities for ignoring repeated appeals to repair the road. They blamed poor governance and lack of infrastructure maintenance for the fatal mishap. One villager said the road had potholes deep enough to trap even light vehicles. Despite multiple petitions and complaints submitted to the local block office, the road remained neglected. Many believe this accident should serve as a wake-up call for the administration to prioritize rural road safety.
The tractor owner also visited the site later in the day. He expressed his condolences to the grieving family and claimed that the driver had been employed only recently. He agreed to provide financial help to the family and assured cooperation with the ongoing investigation. Police officers inspected the overturned vehicle before arranging for its removal with the help of locals and a towing vehicle.
Political leaders from the area also reacted to the incident. Some visited the family and promised to raise the issue in local administrative meetings. They emphasized the need for urgent repairs and better oversight of road conditions in rural areas. One local leader from Baksa said such incidents are becoming too common and must be addressed with both infrastructure and accountability.
The tragic event has now turned the spotlight on the larger issue of transportation safety and government negligence in maintaining rural roads. Residents fear that unless swift action is taken, more lives will be lost due to such avoidable accidents. Social organizations in the area have now planned to stage a peaceful protest next week demanding immediate road repairs and permanent signage on high-risk routes.
As the grieving family prepares for the final rites, the community comes together in solidarity. Their collective pain is now a strong voice calling for change, justice, and a safer tomorrow on Assam’s rural roads.
