Jorhat, Oct 24: A chemical leak from a soap factory along the Jorhat-Mariani connecting road has disrupted traffic and raised concerns over damage to nearby agricultural fields, with the slippery road surface reportedly causing multiple accidents since Thursday night.
The chemical has spread across the main road and adjoining bylanes, making movement difficult for commuters and residents.
Locals said several vehicles had skidded on the affected stretch, including an ambulance travelling from Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) to pick up a patient.
A local resident said the ambulance accident occurred at around 11.30 pm on Thursday after the driver mistook the chemical spread across the road for water. The ambulance skidded and hit the roadside, while another car veered off the road into a forest.
“When we came out to assess the situation, we also slipped. Several vehicles had already met with similar accidents,” the resident said.
The leak has also raised concerns over its impact on surrounding agricultural land and the local environment. Another resident said the chemical had been flowing out of the factory since Thursday and spreading into nearby fields.
“Since Thursday, chemicals have been flowing out of the factory and spreading to agricultural fields,” the resident said.
One resident said the police had been informed and had visited the site, but alleged that no one from the factory had arrived to assess the situation.
“We informed the police, and the authorities arrived at the spot. The police also informed the factory owner, but no one from the factory has visited the site so far. The chemical has now spread into our homes and across the nearby bylanes, making it difficult for us to step outside,” the resident said.
The type of chemical involved and the extent of contamination have not been established.
Demanding the factory’s closure and strict legal action against those responsible, a resident questioned how the unit had been permitted to operate in the area.
“We want the factory to be shut down and strict legal action taken against those responsible. We also want to know who granted permission for a factory to operate in this area. If the authorities fail to take action, we will launch democratic protests with the support of Adivasi and Tai Ahom students’ organisations,” the resident said.
Residents are seeking urgent intervention to contain the leak, make the affected roads safe for traffic and assess the damage to nearby agricultural land.