Agartala, 4th April 2026: A major accident was narrowly averted this morning at Ambassa Bazaar when a live electric wire snapped and fell onto a moving tomtom (auto-rickshaw). The driver and passenger escaped with their lives, but the vehicle caught fire, triggering outrage among local tomtom operators.
Locals said the wire had been lying across the road for a long time without repair, despite repeated complaints. The incident, which caused significant damage to the tomtom, led drivers to stage a road blockade on the Assam-Agartala National Highway near Ambassa Bazaar. Traffic was disrupted for hours as protesters demanded compensation.
Police from Ambassa station rushed to the spot, joined by Ambassa Municipal Council Vice-Chairman Gopal Sutradhar, who spoke with the agitated drivers. Following assurances, the blockade was lifted after some time.
Later, tomtom drivers marched to the Ambassa electricity office and laid siege, insisting that the department must compensate the affected driver. They warned that unless the demand is met, further protests will continue.
In interviews, drivers accused the electricity department of negligence, saying its failure to repair the fallen line had endangered lives and caused heavy financial loss.
