Assam records least deaths on damaged roads in 2014

Guwahati, Sept 14: Assam recorded the lowest number of deaths caused by potholes, speed breakers and humps on roads among all states in India in 2014, the state government said on Monday.

Citing the "Road Accident Report 2014" published by the union ministry of road transport and highways, the state government statement said Assam recorded only 43 deaths caused by potholes, speed breakers and humps on roads.

Karnataka (970), Madhya Pradesh (915), Bihar (867), Tamil Nadu (636), West Bengal (375), Maharashtra (368), Gujarat (280) and Andhra Pradesh (216) recorded a high number of deaths on these counts, according to the report.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said in the statement that the improvement in surface communication, road safety measures and streamlining of traffic management have led to a steep fall in the number of fatalities on roads.

"The report has established the fact that the state's roads are in better condition compared to big states," he said.

"Our emphasis has been all along on building the roads infrastructure as the roads constitute the lifelines of the state and help in the state's economic transformation."

Gogoi said the state government has taken up a slew of initiatives to build new road networks besides repairing and maintaining the existing roads, including bridges.

The chief minister said the state public works department (PWD) has also been directed to keep roads and bridges in good shape to ensure smooth flow of passengers and goods.

Gogoi lauded the PWD for carrying out the instructions resulting in remarkable improvement in the road communication network in the past 14 years.

IANS