Kaziranga Road Accident: Government Announces Compensation for Victims

In the wake of a devastating road accident in Kaziranga that resulted in 26 fatalities, the Assam government has announced a compensation package for the victims' families. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma outlined the financial assistance and discussed ongoing investigations into the causes of the crash, including potential driver intoxication and overcrowding. As authorities work to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident, specialized medical teams have been deployed to assist the injured. The community mourns the loss while awaiting further updates on the investigation and support for the affected families.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 14, 2026, 13:35 IST

Kaziranga Tragedy: Government Response

People at the site after a head-on collision between a traveller and a container truck, on Friday. (Photo:PTI)

Guwahati, Nov 14: In response to the tragic road accident in Kaziranga, the state government has declared an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for the families of each of the 26 victims.

The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, announced that the Revenue and Disaster Management Department would provide an additional Rs 2 lakh to each affected family, bringing the total financial assistance to Rs 7 lakh. This announcement came after his visit to the accident site on Saturday.

During his visit, Sarma highlighted several factors under investigation, including potential intoxication, medical emergencies affecting the driver, and severe overcrowding in the vehicle.

Investigators are particularly focused on understanding why the driver lost control, which resulted in the tragic incident. The passenger vehicle, designed for 26 individuals, was carrying 41 people at the time of the collision with another vehicle. Preliminary footage indicated that the road was clear when the traveller unexpectedly veered into the path of the other vehicle.

“A crucial question is why the driver lost control when there were no obstacles ahead. There could be multiple explanations, including intoxication or a medical issue. A thorough examination of his health is essential before drawing any conclusions,” Sarma stated.

The Chief Minister condemned the overcrowding as a serious violation of regulations, noting that the vehicle had previously received 10 traffic citations.

Investigators are analyzing video and forensic evidence to understand the circumstances leading to the vehicle's sudden change in direction.

Sarma confirmed that the dashcam footage circulating online is genuine, having been uploaded to the cloud and shared with authorities by the vehicle's company.

The footage also captured a cyclist near the accident scene, which will be scrutinized further. Additionally, Sarma raised concerns about adherence to speed limits on the Kaziranga route, mentioning that while many vehicles are equipped with speed limiters, their effectiveness could be compromised if cables are damaged.

The driver, who frequently operated on this route, was expected to be aware of the speed regulations in place.

As of now, the death toll stands at 26, with several injured individuals receiving treatment at Jorhat Medical College and other hospitals in Golaghat and Bokakhat. Specialized medical personnel have been dispatched from Guwahati to assist with the care of the injured and to expedite the post-mortem procedures.

Post-mortem examinations are currently ongoing, with 10 completed by noon. Arrangements are being made to return the bodies to their families once formalities are finalized.

“Ministers will visit the bereaved families to offer government support following the completion of the last rites,” Sarma added.