Driver crushed in cement truck mishap at Chakmaghat: Allegations of administrative lapses surface

BY TC News Desk

Agartala, 5^th August 2025:  A tragic accident at Chakmaghat under Teliamura police station has reignited questions about the effectiveness of Tripura’s disaster response system, despite crores of rupees spent from public funds. The administration’s inability to act promptly has drawn sharp criticism following the death of a truck driver who remained trapped inside his vehicle for nearly eight hours.

According to eyewitness accounts, the accident took place around 2:30 AM, when a Dharmanagar-Agartala-bound cement-laden truck lost control on National Highway 8 and overturned. The front section of the vehicle was mangled, pinning the driver, Mihir Lal Debnath, inside the cabin.

“He cried out repeatedly, pleading to be rescued,” said one local resident. “It was heartbreaking. People stood helpless for hours.”

Despite the urgency, local residents claim that disaster response teams failed to arrive with functioning equipment. “They came with iron-cutting tools, but those didn’t work,” an eyewitness reported. Fire department personnel arrived late and lacked sufficient support. A senior subdivision official (DCM) allegedly reached the scene nearly seven hours post-accident, around 9:40 AM.

Local anger escalated as hundreds watched the scene unfold without intervention. “It’s a disgrace. With all the money and resources, the administration couldn’t save a life,” said another resident.

Eventually, TSR 12th Battalion personnel played a crucial role in stabilizing the situation, although Mihir’s lifeless body was only recovered hours later and taken to Teliamura Sub-divisional Hospital.

This incident has stirred public outrage and renewed scrutiny over the state’s disaster preparedness. “This is not just about technical failure. It’s about accountability,” a local activist remarked. “Paper drills and funding mean nothing if the system fails when it matters most.”

An official said that the incident occurred late at night around 3 am. Every one rached there for the rescue operation. As per disaster management guideline will give compensation. We need a preliminary report we are collecting report. By tomorrow will do. It was an sudden sitaution we have tried our best. We tried to cut the truck but there was chance that the driver could received griveious injures.