Watch: KKRTC Bus Use Mobile Torch After Headlight Malfunction

Kalaburagi: A viral video showing a state-run bus travelling at night with the conductor using his mobile phone torch after the vehicle's headlights dimmed has ignited a political controversy, with the BJP and the JD(S) accusing the Congress government of compromising passenger safety in the Kalyana Karnataka region.

The incident involved a Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) bus operating on the Kalaburagi-Chincholi route. The video, which has been widely shared on social media, shows the conductor flashing his mobile phone torch through the front windshield after the bus headlights became too dim to illuminate the road.

Following the video, the Department is conducting an internal enquiry into the incident.

Sources told Deccan Chronicle that the bus developed a headlight-related technical snag before commencing its journey from Chincholi on Saturday. The vehicle was taken to the depot, where the mechanic carried out temporary repairs before allowing it to begin its service to Kalaburagi.

However, during the return trip, the driver noticed that the headlights had again started dimming. The bus continued for nearly 40 km before reaching Kalgi, where the headlights reportedly became too weak and eventually failed. The conductor is said to have used the torch on his mobile phone, sources said. This video has gone viral on social media.

The bus, which was scheduled to reach Chincholi at 10 pm, reached the destination at 10.15 pm.

Department officials are now examining whether the bus was taken to any of the four depots in Kalaburagi when the problem began or if it was taken to Kalgi depot, for repairs after the fault worsened. If not, officials are trying to ascertain what had actually happened.

Even as the inquiry is underway, the episode has triggered a political slugfest.

In a post on X, the BJP alleged that "everything is in chaos under Congress misrule" and claimed that people in Kalyana Karnataka were being forced to risk their lives because of poor public transport. It alleged that passengers travelled nearly 90 km between Kalaburagi and Chincholi in an old bus using only a mobile phone torch after the headlights failed.

The Janata Dal (Secular) also targeted the government, describing the incident as sorry state of governance under the Congress government's 'guarantee' administration

In a post on X, the party alleged that passengers were being forced to travel with their lives at risk and accused the government of adopting a "step motherly attitude" towards the Kalyana Karnataka region.

The JD(S) further alleged that new buses purchased using funds from the Kalyana Karnataka Region Development Board (KKRDB) had been diverted to other regions, while buses that ought to have been scrapped were being operated on the Chincholi route.

It also accused the Transport Minister of focusing on publicity rather than passenger safety and demanded action against the officials responsible, besides seeking deployment of roadworthy buses in the region.