Agartala: August 18: Residents of the Barjala area in Agartala have expressed their frustration with the reckless driving of school buses and unmarked vehicles belonging to the Agartala Municipal Corporation. Following a recent accident, locals blocked the road near Mohan Club in Barjala. A municipal corporation official arrived at the scene and acknowledged the issues.
The incident involved Abhijit Das, a resident of the 79 Tila area, who was returning home on his bike on Sunday morning after attending a family function in Barjala. An unmarked garbage truck from the Agartala Municipal Corporation hit his bike and fled the scene, leaving Das severely injured with a broken leg. Locals rescued him and took him to GB Hospital.
A local resident reported hearing a loud noise and seeing Das lying on the road while the garbage truck fled. The resident attempted to stop the driver, who discarded Das’s helmet before escaping. Das’s younger brother stated that his condition is critical and his leg may need to be amputated.
In response to the incident, locals blocked the road, alleging that municipal garbage trucks often drive at high speeds without number plates or proper documentation. They demanded that the speed of these vehicles be controlled.
Police and a municipal corporation official responsible for garbage transportation arrived at the scene. The official explained that some old municipal vehicles lack number plates due to issues in converting them from BS-4 to BS-6 standards, but they are allowed on the roads with their chassis numbers. The Transport Department is aware of this situation. The official also identified the driver of the vehicle involved in the accident as Basudeb Roy and confirmed that the vehicles are insured.
After a prolonged road blockade, the locals cleared the road following police intervention. It remains to be seen whether the demands of the residents will be addressed and the speed of municipal garbage trucks in the Barjala area will be controlled.
