Following a devastating bus fire in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, on October 24 that claimed 20 lives, the Karnataka government has ordered a thorough safety audit of all buses operated by its four state transport corporations. This significant decision was announced by State Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy.
The audit will encompass buses from the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation, Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation, and North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation. The assessment will meticulously review the mechanical condition of the buses, their renewal records, and their adherence to current safety standards.
Minister Reddy expressed that the Kurnool incident was “deeply tragic” and highlighted the urgent need for enhanced vigilance. He emphasized that safety systems across all state transport buses require a comprehensive review to prevent any recurrence of past safety lapses.
Recalling a similar incident from a decade ago near Haveri, Reddy mentioned that a statewide inspection drive was initiated then, which led to a mandate for approximately 50,000 vehicles, including state buses and school vans, to be equipped with functional emergency exit doors. This initiative had uncovered significant safety deficiencies across various fleets.
In light of the recent accident, the transport department is also preparing to issue a circular mandating new safety requirements for all passenger buses, both public and private. These new regulations, expected soon, will require buses to have an additional emergency exit door and a greater number of fire extinguishers readily accessible within the vehicle.
Reddy noted that current premium and sleeper buses often have only two main doors and sometimes a single rear emergency exit, which he deemed insufficient. The new rules aim to ensure that all buses are equipped with multiple emergency exits to facilitate quicker evacuation during accidents.
He further explained that while many sleeper coaches feature windows designed as emergency exits, complete with hammers, passengers in panic often gravitate towards the main doors, causing congestion and delays. The minister stressed that multiple exits are crucial for saving lives.
Additionally, buses will be required to carry more fire extinguishers, strategically placed throughout the vehicle for better accessibility. The transport department will also intensify its efforts to curb the illegal transportation of inflammable or explosive materials alongside passenger luggage.
Air-conditioned buses will be mandated to carry window-breaking hammers for emergencies, and a strict prohibition will be placed on staff or passengers resting in luggage compartments. These measures aim to strengthen the safety protocols previously introduced in 2013, following a severe bus fire that resulted in 45 fatalities. Reddy concluded by stating that while norms were established earlier, stronger enforcement is now the priority.