45 die as Volvo bursts into flames; bodies charred beyond recognition.
After 45 passengers on a Bangalore-Hyderabad bus were charred to death when it burst into flames near Kothakota in Mahabubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh (AP), the Maharashtra transport department has once again told private bus operators to keep a comprehensive list of passengers on board a bus, including those picked up en route. This, after authorities in AP could not identify the victims in the Volvo. as there was no passenger list.
“We have made it mandatory for all private bus operators to maintain a list of passengers so that names are documented well. We revived the regulation recently after a spate of accidents,” state transport commissioner VN More told dna.
“Keeping a list of passengers is important and it comes handy during rescue and emergency operations,” More said,
Private bus operators usually pick up passengers at various points but do not necessarily list their names. During festival seasons, operators take a large number of passengers and accommodate them on small stools and tables placed near the driver’s cabin, and in the gangway.
“We have made regulations and try to implement them, but operators and the public should adhere to them, especially as it concerns their own safety,” More said. RTO sources said that passenger lists are maintained by public transport authorities and a few private operators, but most operators do not have a comprehensive list of every single passenger in the bus.
Private bus operators are in much demand during the festive season and many of them hike tariff rates. With no government restrictions on them, bus operators increase ticket rates exorbitantly during such periods.
130 km The distance between Hyderabad and Kothakota
435 km (approx)Distance between Bangalore and Kothakota
Number of people escaped Five passengers, driver and cleaner
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