Assam: New route to Baghjan oil well blowout site turns accident-prone zone

The new route to Baghjan oil well blowout site in Tinsukia, Assam has turned into an accident-prone area and is unsafe for commuters and residents as one 35-year-old man died on the spot after he was hit by a dumper carrying some materials to the site.

The deceased has been identified as Robin Karmakar alias Chhaila was hit by the truck at Tipuk-Baghjan link road.

The route is being used after the link road to Baghjan oil well blowout site was blocked on June 25^th, 2020 evening which was used after the bridge at Rupai Tea Estate collapsed due to erosion on its western parts following incessant rainfall for last few days causing flood.

It took 19 minutes from Doomdooma to Baghjan covering 16 kilometers distance earlier while it takes more time to reach the oil well blowout site through the new rout from Doomdooma via Tipuk via Daisajan via Jutlibari to Baghjan. The distance through the new route is 52 kilomter. The link road from Tinsukia to Baghjan through Kaliapani bridge is now closed.

Also read: Assam: Baghjan oil well blowout site loses connectivity after bridge collapses

Unfortunately, there is also a Daisajan bridge which is weak and there is constant erosion which increase the chance of its breakage due to heavy movement on it.

"The Daisajan bridge is not for plying of heavy vehicles. Moreover, there is constant erosion on the both ends of the bridge due to heavy rain fall for the last few days. The oil personnel have put some sand filled bag there in the name of repairing. Any untoward incident can invite a big human and property loss due to traffic rule negligence also as the road here is narrow and human habitats are along with roads,” Ganesh Tanti, a local resident of Daisajan said.

The area which partly falls under the jurisdiction of two police stations - Talap outpost (Doomdooma police station) and Baghjan police station have witnessed many road accident casualties in recent past.

Moreover, it sounds no relief on road traffic too since the Baghjan blowout is still uncontrolled. Union Petroleum and Natural Gas secretary Tarun Kapur visited recently at Baghjan. Later, talking to the INSIDE NE  at Doomdooma, Kapur said,  " Everything is going on according to the plan if everything goes well, a blowout preventer will be placed in the wall on July 7. After placing the blowout preventer on the well, the fire will go up and then the experts can work under it and will cap the well."

" We appeal the OIL personnel, district administration and all others who visit Baghjan to please drive slowly and carefully as there are electric polls too beside the roads and the bridge are of weak capacity. " said, Lakshmi Moran, a local.

On the otherhand, the newbypass from Panitola via Makum via Kakopathar has merged in water and many accidents reported in last few days. An Iten car fell into a ditch in Digboi, another three accidents reported at Dr Bhupen Hazarika Setu at Dhola, at Bogibeel bridge and one at Dirak near Assam - Arunachal border.

A top police official in Guwahati said that although crime rate has fallen since lockdown period to prevent coronavirus, road accidents are alarmingly rising these days. “People should drive carefully and stay safe,” the official said.  The official warned that strict action will be taken against those who violates any kind of traffic rules.

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