Road Mishap: Home Minister Promises Action
Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha has said strict action would be taken against those responsible for the road accident and cases have been filed: Reports
KURNOOL: Home minister Vangalapudi Anitha has said strict action would be taken against those responsible for the road accident and cases have been filed.
Speaking to the media here on Friday, Anitha said the local police received information about the accident at 3.15 am, following which police and fire department personnel reached the site and began rescue operations. Information about the accident was swiftly conveyed to the Chief Minister and ministers.
A total of 39 adults, 4 children and 2 unidentified persons were on the bus. Some unidentified persons boarded the bus near Aramghar Chowrasta and one of them later got down. During the accident, 27 passengers managed to escape by breaking the exit door. These included 23 adults, 2 children and 2 drivers.
“One of the drivers has been detained and an inquiry is under way based on the information he provided. Steps will be taken to form a high-powered committee including the transport, police and revenue departments to prevent similar accidents in the future,” Anitha said.
The home and transport ministers visited the accident site at Chinna Tekuru to inspect the scene and oversee the rescue operations. This is the third fire-related incident on highways in recent times.
Transport minister Ramprasad Reddy said all newly registered buses are being fitted with automatic fire alarm systems. Necessary safety measures are being implemented. The bus involved in Friday’s accident was seven years old and did not have a fire alarm system.
He said the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) would also be consulted vis-à-vis implementation of proper safety measures. “The chief minister has announced an ex-gratia of `5 lakh each for the families of the six dead passengers from the state and `2 lakh each for the injured.
Meanwhile, a crane removing the damaged bus fell down as its hook detached, injuring the crane operator. He was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
