Telangana school bus mishap: Replacement driver’s shortcut costs lives

Hyderabad: Bhikshapathi Goud, the bus driver, was filling in as a temporary replacement for the regular driver of the Kakatiya Techno School. He had taken the shortcut across the unmanned railway crossing, instead of taking the longer route which had a manned railway crossing. Locals said that Goud was rushing as he feared that he may be running late.

Locals also alleged that the driver was inexperienced. They said the school management had not checked if the vehicle was fit to ply on the roads or if the driver had adequate experience behind the wheels.

“We should not have entrusted the driver with our children. The school management must pay for what they did to us,” said B. Malleswar, grandfather of Abinandu, who is undergoing treatment. However, Mamta Sharma, district transport commissioner, Medak, said, “The school bus that met with the accident had a fitness certificate valid till 2015, and the driver has had a driver’s license since 1991. He had about 23 years of experience. He was not a tractor driver as is being alleged by some.”

Medak collector A. Sarath said the driver took the unmanned crossing as the level crossing was farther away.

Deceased bus driver booked

The Government Railway Police booked a case against the dead driver of the school bus for negligence. Railway inspector of police M. Muni said the case was booked under Section 304A of IPC (rash and negligent act leading to death) and 337 IPC (negligent act leading to injury) and Sections 153 and 161 of Indian Railways Act.

CM K Chandrasekhar announces Rs 5 lakhs ex-gratia

Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao has declared Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia to each of the families of the victims.