Safety Fears Mount on NH-17 After Vehicle Plunges Into Construction Ditch

Guwahati: Safety concerns regarding the National Highway 17 expansion project reached a breaking point on Sunday after a car fell into an open roadside ditch near Chokabaha. The vehicle, a Renault Kiger carrying four people, veered into the exposed excavation site while traveling toward Guwahati. Officials confirmed that all four passengers escaped the accident without serious injuries.

Boko police arrived at the scene shortly after the crash to investigate the circumstances of the incident. This accident occurred near a bridge where both sides of the road remained open and poorly protected during construction.

Local residents report that mishaps have become frequent along this stretch of the highway. Community members cite insufficient barricades, a lack of clear warning signage, and widespread exposed excavations as primary dangers to commuters. Many have voiced frustration over what they describe as a recurring pattern of negligence by the executing agencies.

Demands for immediate government intervention are growing. Locals are calling for stricter oversight, the installation of proper warning systems, and regular safety audits. While the NH-17 expansion is a vital infrastructure project intended to boost connectivity, residents insist that development cannot come at the expense of public safety.