With the northern parts of India gripped by a cold wave and dense fog, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) issued fresh guidelines on Thursday to regulate passenger bus operations during periods of low visibility. The directive emphasizes that buses should not operate when visibility is compromised due to fog.
Officials from UPSRTC advised operators to park buses at safe locations and wait until visibility improves. Staff at bus stands have been instructed to monitor major routes’ conditions and alert operators as needed. Additionally, they are empowered to prevent bus operations until visibility conditions show improvement.
These guidelines follow a series of accidents reported in different parts of Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday, attributed to fog and low visibility conditions. A major collision occurred on the Agra-Lucknow expressway, involving multiple vehicles near the Jharna Nala flyover, causing injuries to several commuters. Another incident in Raebareli saw a high-speed truck colliding with a house on the Bareli-Sultanpur Highway, resulting in property damage.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an alert regarding the anticipated impact of dense to very dense fog in the night and morning hours over Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh from December 28 to December 30. Satellite images released by the IMD depict the extensive fog layer across several states.
The advisory from the IMD urges the public to exercise caution while driving or engaging in outdoor activities during the specified period. It further advises the use of fog lights while driving, and individuals planning air or rail travel are encouraged to stay informed about any changes to schedules through coordination with airlines, railways, and state transport authorities.