In a swift response to a horrific bus fire that killed 20 people in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, transport authorities in Telangana have launched a major safety drive. The inspections in Hyderabad have already led to penalties, uncovering inadequate safety measures in inter-state private buses.
What Triggered the Sudden Inspections?
The October 24 accident led to the crackdown. A private bus hit a two-wheeler in Chinnatekuru village, Kurnool district, early in the morning. The crash caused a fire that killed 19 passengers and a motorcyclist. Out of 44 people on board, some escaped, underlining the dangers of accidents and faulty vehicles.
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What Were the Findings of the Hyderabad Safety Drive?
Following the tragedy, inspections began on Saturday morning across Hyderabad, a major hub for inter-state travel. A transport department official revealed that the drive resulted in 14 cases being booked against private bus operators. The offences were primarily for inadequate safety measures. Authorities collected ₹46,000 in fines, pointing out specific safety rule violations. This shows the government’s focus on passenger safety.
How Widespread is the Inter-State Bus Operations?
The scale of the issue is significant. Officials state that nearly 500 inter-state private travel buses operate from Hyderabad daily. This heavy traffic between states necessitates coordinated safety efforts. The scale of operations means that thousands of passengers are reliant on the proper maintenance and regulation of these vehicles every day, making systemic oversight critical.
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What is the Government’s Long-Term Plan?
Telangana’s Transport Minister, Ponnam Prabhakar, has announced a proactive, multi-pronged approach. He stated he would meet with his counterparts from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to frame unified measures to prevent bus accidents. Minister Prabhakar also issued a direct warning to private bus operators, threatening strict action if they fail to maintain vehicle fitness. He specifically called out the common problem of overspeeding, saying, “The owners should follow rules and ensure that the buses do not overspeed, as private buses are known to travel at high speed.”
