Guwahati, Oct 22: More than 100 road traffic accident cases were recorded at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) during the Durga Puja festivities, with 114 people brought to its emergency ward between October 16 and October 21.
Of them, 82 were admitted for treatment, while nine were brought dead, GMCH Superintendent Dr Devajit Choudhury said on Thursday.
Among the 82 patients admitted, 67 were men and 15 were women. The nine people brought dead included eight men and one woman.
“From October 16 to October 21, we recorded 114 road traffic accident cases in our emergency ward. Of these, 82 patients were admitted, while nine people were brought dead,” Choudhury said.
He said the number of road accident cases had declined by 15% compared to the corresponding period last year.
“Most of the cases are from Guwahati and its adjoining areas. A few patients are referred to us from other places, including Tezpur and Jorhat,” he said.
According to Choudhury, around 20% of the admitted patients are in critical condition and are being closely monitored.
“We are examining them every day and conducting repeat CT scans as well. Around 70% of the cases involve motorcycle accidents, while car accidents account for the remaining 30%,” he said.
The figures come amid broader concerns over road safety in the state. On October 20, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed concern over the number of road crashes, citing accident-prone stretches, ongoing road renovation work and unsafe driving practices as contributing factors.
“The accidents are surging and we are concerned about it. In some places the situation has improved but in others, it's a matter of concern, especially in areas where roads are being revamped. There are also red points and we are trying to correct them,” Sarma told reporters.
He also stressed the need for greater road safety awareness, identifying driving under the influence of alcohol and failure to wear helmets among the factors contributing to accidents