In response to a devastating bus fire that tragically claimed at least 19 lives and injured several others on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway early Friday (October 24, 2025), Karnataka has deployed a team from its Transport Department to Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Their crucial mission is to identify victims from Karnataka and provide comprehensive support to their grieving families.
Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy confirmed the dispatch of officials, stating, ‘We are actively verifying the number of victims from Karnataka. I’ve instructed RTO officials from Bagepalli to proceed to Kurnool immediately to collaborate with local authorities, gather victim information, and offer assistance to their families.’
Regarding the unfortunate incident, the Minister clarified that the bus possessed a valid All India Permit, authorizing it to operate between Bengaluru and Hyderabad. He added that such permits allow vehicles to travel on any route nationwide, without specific route restrictions.
Over 25 killed as luxury bus catches fire in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.
Minister Recalls 2013 Safety Directive
Minister Reddy also drew parallels to a similar tragedy in 2013, where a private luxury bus fire on the same Bengaluru-Hyderabad National Highway resulted in 45 fatalities. He emphasized that this past incident led to the implementation of crucial safety enhancements. ‘During my previous term as Transport Minister in 2013,’ he recounted, ‘I mandated all Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) to ensure that both private and state-operated buses were outfitted with an additional emergency exit, supplementing the main door, to enable rapid evacuation during crises.’
This 2013 mandate was vital because many luxury AC sleeper buses at the time featured sealed windows, making it challenging for passengers to escape during accidents without using emergency tools like hammers. ‘After this directive,’ he clarified, ‘approximately 50,000 buses across the state, encompassing both Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private operators, were successfully retrofitted with these essential additional emergency doors.’
Transport Department officials highlighted existing safety protocols, noting that state-run buses already operate under strict speed limits. ‘KSRTC buses are capped at a maximum speed of 80 km/h to improve highway safety,’ an official stated, adding that drivers are also instructed to keep to the two left lanes, facilitating smoother overtaking by other vehicles.
Motorists Raise Concerns
This tragic incident has drawn significant attention to the Bengaluru-Hyderabad highway, a critical route that has become increasingly congested. Commuters have voiced growing concerns regarding the road’s overall safety and the driving practices of some individuals along this corridor.
Sagar Kumar, a frequent traveler on this route, described the stretch as ‘super risky.’ He elaborated, ‘The danger on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway isn’t due to poor road conditions, but rather the general driving behavior. Ideally, this highway should feature six main lanes complemented by four-lane service roads. It’s truly a nightmare, even in daylight. Many private bus operators also compromise on safety, which is why I’ve personally stopped using buses on this route.’
Transport officials acknowledged that the approximately 100-kilometer section from Bengaluru to the Karnataka border near Bagepalli is generally in good condition. However, they emphasized that curbing overspeeding and enforcing safety regulations remain top priorities. ‘In the aftermath of this accident,’ an official stated, ‘we plan to investigate ways to bolster checks on speed infractions and enhance surveillance across the entire route.’
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) did not provide a comment on the situation at the time of this report’s publication.