Shillong, Aug 4: The state government has directed the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) and a construction company to ensure proper placement of signage along the accident-prone areas of the road to Pynursla in East Khasi Hills.
The directive was issued by deputy chief minister in-charge PWD (Roads) Prestone Tynsong after reviewing safety of the road following the tragic accident in which five members of a family died as their vehicle veered off the road and plunged into a deep gorge at Rngain, Pynursla.
Expressing his condolences to the bereaved family, the deputy chief minister said the accident may have occurred due to the driver’s attempt to overtake a truck in a foggy area.
The cause of the accident is still under investigation, he said following a meeting with representatives of NHIDCL and the construction company to discuss road safety measures.
Tynsong said he asked the construction company and NHIDCL to ensure proper placement of signage in such vulnerable places.
He said Chief Engineer of PWD (National Highway) is also scheduled to inspect vulnerable places and ensure proper display of signage.
Meanwhile, the minister said SDO Pynursla had been directed to submit a report on the incident to decide on compensation, if any, for the victim family.
Right now, it was not established if the reason of the accident was fault of the driver or the construction company, he said.
“This is purely an accident because nobody would like to kill themselves,” he added.
“Let us wait till the report… we will see what is to be done,” he told reporters.
The minister said measures have been taken to prevent such accidents in the future.
