After assessing a recent fatal road accident near Chevella on Monday, Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar held an urgent virtual meeting with Special Chief Secretary Vikas Raj and other senior Transport Department officials. During the discussion, he issued clear directives for a robust, district-level action plan aimed at significantly curbing the escalating number of road accidents throughout the state.
Minister Prabhakar highlighted the alarming rise in road mishaps, including Monday’s devastating incident where 19 lives were lost. He emphasized that both the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus and the lorry involved in the collision were mechanically sound. He attributed the accident’s severity primarily to the absence of a road divider and excessive speed.
The Minister gave stringent instructions to officials to meticulously verify the proper functioning of speed limiters in all transport vehicles. He mandated that any tampering with these devices would result in a severe triple penalty. Prabhakar underscored the necessity for enforcement teams to remain vigilant and actively operational year-round across all districts, rather than merely reacting to major accidents.
Furthermore, he directed Transport Department personnel to intensify surveillance on commercial vehicles, including sleeper buses, tippers, and lorries, specifically targeting those operating without proper permits or failing to meet essential fitness standards. He also stressed that school buses, private hire buses, and other heavy transport vehicles must undergo regular and thorough fitness checks. Additionally, he reiterated the crucial requirement for tippers transporting sand and construction materials to be securely covered with tarpaulin to prevent spills and hazards.