Assam: Stunt riding by minors turns Makum–Talap bypass accident-prone

Reckless motorcycle and bicycle stunts on the Makum–Talap bypass in Tinsukia district have raised serious safety concerns, with locals warning that the stretch is increasingly becoming accident-prone.

The bypass and its connected routes, including the Doomdooma–Chamdang (Samdang Tea Estate) road, have witnessed frequent instances of high-speed riding, with thrill-seeking youths, many of them minors, using the long, straight roads to perform stunts and race.

“Every evening, it feels like a racetrack, not a public road,” a resident said.

The dangers of such behaviour were highlighted by a fatal incident on February 4, when Traffic In-Charge Sub-Inspector Bubul Sonowal was killed while on duty. He was managing traffic following an earlier accident at the Samdang TE bypass when a speeding vehicle rammed into officers and civilians. Sonowal later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital in Dibrugarh, while at least 15 others were injured.

Police officials said the incident underscored the risks posed by reckless driving. “We lost a brave officer due to sheer recklessness,” an official said.

Residents have attributed the recurring accidents to speeding, stunt riding and inadequate enforcement of traffic rules. Experts point to factors such as peer pressure, easy access to high-powered motorcycles and the lack of recreational spaces for youth.

Locals have urged authorities to take immediate measures, including stricter enforcement, installation of speed cameras and rumble strips, and awareness campaigns to curb dangerous riding practices.

They warned that without prompt intervention, the busy bypass could become a site of repeated tragedies.