In response to a tragic bus fire that claimed 19 lives in neighboring Andhra Pradesh on October 24th, transport officials in Telangana have launched a rigorous inspection campaign targeting private buses. This initiative aims to enforce crucial safety and fitness standards across the approximately 500 inter-state private buses operating daily from Hyderabad.
The crackdown, which began on Saturday morning, has already resulted in the booking of 14 cases against private bus operators. These violations primarily concern inadequate safety measures, leading to the collection of ₹46,000 in penalties. A transport department official confirmed these actions to PTI.
Telangana’s Transport Minister, Ponnam Prabhakar, has signaled a proactive approach to preventing future accidents. He plans to collaborate with his counterparts in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka to develop joint strategies for enhancing bus safety, especially given the heavy inter-state traffic. The minister has sternly warned private bus operators, emphasizing the necessity of maintaining vehicle fitness and adhering to all regulatory requirements. He specifically highlighted the issue of speeding, noting that private buses are often known to exceed speed limits.
The heightened enforcement follows the devastating incident in Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, where a private bus collided with a two-wheeler. The ensuing fire tragically killed 19 passengers and a motorcyclist. While the bus was carrying 44 passengers, several managed to escape the blaze.