As many as eight persons, including two students, were killed and more than 25 others were injured when a private bus heading towards Pavagada, Tumakuru district, overturned on March 19 morning. The driver lost control of the bus near Pavagada while negotiating a curve.
It was heading to Pavadada from Hosakote with more than 80 passengers on board, said police. What compounded the tragedy was that it was crowded with people hanging out from the doors, clinging on to the ladder at the back and sitting on the roof. “When the bus turned, they were flung out into the thorny bushes along the road,” the police added.
Most of the passengers in the bus were students or people going to work. The driver and the conductor fled soon after the accident. One of the passengers called his relatives in the nearby village. Soon after, villagers arrived at the spot and shifted the injured persons to Pavagada, Tumakuru and other hospitals in Bengaluru.
Home Minister Araga Jnanendra, who is also the minister in charge of the district, has ordered for a detailed probe on the incident.
Transport Minister B. Sreeramulu said that stringent action would be taken against the persons responsible.
Speaking to media representatives at his home office in Ballari on March 19, the Minister said that eight persons died and over 25 sustained injuries in the accident.
“We have dispatched a team of senior officers to the accident spot. Apart from a thorough inquiry into the incident to ascertain the exact cause, we would also check whether the vehicle had a valid fitness certificate, insurance cover, permit and other statutory requirements. Based on the inquiry report, we will take stringent action against the persons responsible,” Mr. Sreeramulu said.
“No government buses are plying in the area. I have learnt that the State-owned transport corporations are not operating their buses even after repeated requests by the people. We will consider the option of cancelling the permits of all private buses in the area and start operations of government buses,” Mr. Sreeramulu said, adding that compensation to the victims would be paid after discussing the matter with the Chief Minister.
Former Lok Sabha member from Ballari J. Shantha and former MLA Suresh Babu were present.
