A tragic road accident on National Highway 27 at Ulladabri in Jalpaiguri district on Sunday claimed six lives, including a mother and her one-and-a-half-year-old child, and left 26 others critically injured. The collision occurred between a Cooch Behar-bound state bus from Siliguri and a lorry. Among the injured is a nine-year-old child. All the injured are currently receiving treatment at the Jalpaiguri Government Medical College and Hospital.
Details of the Accident
According to officials, the accident took place when the North Bengal State Transport Corporation (NBSTC) bus, en route from Siliguri to Cooch Behar, rammed into the rear of a stationary trailer. The impact was so severe that the rear of the trailer penetrated the bus, trapping several passengers inside. The collision occurred at Ulladabri Jorabadh in Maynaguri area.
BJP MP Jayanta Kumar Roy, speaking to ANI, reported that 32 people involved in the accident were brought to a nearby hospital, of whom five later succumbed to their injuries. "Today an accident occurred in Jalpaiguri. 32 people involved in the accident were brought to this hospital; out of them, 4 individuals have died," Roy said. However, later updates confirmed six fatalities, including the mother and child.
Government Response and Compensation
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari expressed deep sorrow over the incident. In a statement, he said, "Deeply saddened by the tragic road accident at Ulladabri Jorabadh on NH-27 in Maynaguri, wherein a truck slammed into a bus carrying ill-fated passengers. My heart goes out to the families who have lost their loved ones in this incident. I offer my deepest condolences to the bereaved kin and pray for the speedy recovery of all."
The Chief Minister announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased, Rs 1 lakh to those seriously injured, and the state will bear all treatment costs for the injured at state-run facilities. He also stated that the Jalpaiguri administration was "already on the ground and actively carrying out rescue and relief efforts. I have also asked the North Bengal Development Minister, Nisith Pramanik, and the Minister of State for Transport, Anandamay Barman, to coordinate with the district administration and supervise the rescue and relief procedure and ensure that the injured receive proper treatment at the earliest."
Rescue Operations and Aftermath
The rescue operation was launched immediately after the accident. The injured were rushed to the Jalpaiguri Government Medical College and Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. The condition of some of the injured is stated to be critical.
The accident has once again raised concerns about road safety on National Highway 27, a major artery in North Bengal. Authorities are investigating the exact cause of the collision, including whether the trailer was parked without proper warning signs.
