Teliamura, Aug 6: Despite the expenditure of lakhs of rupees from the government treasury, the Disaster Management Department has once again come under sharp criticism for its unpreparedness during a real emergency. The latest example of administrative failure was witnessed in the Chakmaghat area under Teliamura police station, where a driver trapped in an accident-hit vehicle died after waiting nearly six hours for rescue.

According to reports, a cement-laden lorry traveling from Dharmanagar to Agartala met with an accident around 2:30 AM on Tuesday near Chakmaghat on the National Highway. The vehicle’s front portion was severely damaged, trapping the driver—identified as Mihir Lal Debnath, son of Makhan Lal Debnath of Kanchanpur—inside the cabin.

Despite his repeated cries for help and desperate attempts to escape, no effective rescue operation was carried out in time. Eyewitnesses said that the Teliamura Sub-Divisional Administration, the Disaster Management Department, and even the Fire Service failed to arrive promptly or with functional equipment.

Although two to three Disaster Management officials reportedly arrived with cutting tools, the equipment proved ineffective. It wasn’t until 9:40 AM—over seven hours after the accident—that the lifeless body of Mihir Lal Debnath was finally recovered and taken to Teliamura Sub-Divisional Hospital, where he was declared dead.

The incident has sparked widespread anger among the local population. Residents allege gross negligence and question the department’s capabilities, accusing officials of failing to act decisively during an actual emergency despite frequent drills and training exercises.

“This tragic incident is yet another reminder that while disaster preparedness is talked about extensively on paper, the reality on the ground paints a very different picture,” said a local resident.