Traffic chaos on Assam's Rupahihat road as accident-hit vehicle removed hours later, locals question police response

A major traffic disruption on the Nagaon–Naltali State Highway triggered public outrage on June 20 after an accident-hit vehicle was reportedly removed several hours after the mishap occurred in Bhakatgaon under Rupahihat.

 

According to local residents, the vehicle had met with an accident during the morning hours and remained on the roadside for much of the day. However, recovery operations were carried out only in the evening, leading to severe traffic congestion on the busy highway.

 

The situation resulted in a long queue of vehicles, including ambulances transporting patients, remaining stranded for an extended period. Vehicular movement on the state highway was reportedly affected for nearly an hour during the recovery process.

 

Commuters and local residents expressed frustration over the timing of the operation, arguing that the vehicle could have been removed during off-peak hours or at night to avoid disrupting traffic on the busy route.

 

Several stranded travellers questioned the planning of the recovery operation, saying that removing a vehicle lying on the roadside in a manner that completely halted traffic caused unnecessary inconvenience to the public.

 

The incident sparked widespread criticism, with many demanding better traffic management and coordination during vehicle recovery operations on major roads.