Delayed response of administration increased death toll in Marchula mishap: Mahara

PNS | DEHRADUN

Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Karan Mahara has alleged laxity and delayed response of administration in the Marchula bus accident increased the death toll. He said that it is unfortunate that 36 people lost their lives in the bus accident. Mahara claimed that the accident occurred at 7 am after which the locals and public representatives called district magistrate (DM) of Almora but he didn’t pick up any phone call for one and half hours. He said that the first ambulance reached the accident site at around 9 am after which the injured were taken to Ramnagar hospital but there also proper arrangements were not made.

 Mahara said that the health minister has claimed that helicopters were sent to Ramnagar to airlift the injured. He said that instead of Ramnagar, the helicopters should have been sent to Marchula to save lives.

 The PCC president said that the roads in mountainous areas of the State are in pathetic conditions due to which the frequency of accidents has increased. He said that many accidents have occurred in the Nainidanda- Ramnagar road in the last two to three years but the government is paying no heed.

 Mahara said that the government should provide an immediate relief of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the dead and Rs five lakh to the injured.  He demanded that investigation should be ordered to find the causes of delay in response of authorities, delay in arrival of ambulances and DM not responding to the phone calls.