Rama Krishna Sangem
Heart rendering Kurnool bus accident that killed 19 people and injured many could have been avoided, if the driver was alert or properly trained. This is the view of the experts and senior officials who are in the know of the things. Lack of awareness or preparedness at every level is evident in the ghastly mishap.
Of course, a high level committee has been set up by the AP government and it would submit its report soon besides an ongoing police investigation with the help of the arrested bus driver. But, what experts call for is something more – a comprehensive and 360 degree fool proof mechanism to prevent such accidents in future. But, will it happen?
Interestingly, there are many safety committees including a Road Safety Authority, led by a senior IPS official but it is just an ornamental one, as a rehabilitation to a sidelined police official. We can also see many highway patrol vehicles, but they just roam around on the roads, none to be called into service in times of emergency. Sad enough our bus drivers are poorly informed or barely trained to tackle any life threatening accidents. They are just helpless as you and me.
Sajjanar blames the driver
Drunk drivers are “terrorists” and Hyderabad police will show “no mercy” to anyone driving drunk, the city’s police commissioner, VC Sajjanar, has said after 20 people were killed in a bus fire in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool.
“Drunk drivers are terrorists. Period. Drunk drivers are terrorists and their actions are nothing short of acts of terror on our roads. The horrific Kurnool bus accident, which claimed the lives of 20 innocent people, was not an accident in the truest sense. It was a preventable massacre, caused by the reckless and irresponsible behavior of an intoxicated biker,” the top cop posted on X.
“This was not a road mishap but a criminal act of negligence that annihilated entire families within seconds. The biker, identified as B Shiva Shankar, was reportedly under the influence of alcohol. CCTV footage shows him refueling his motorcycle at 2:24 a.m., minutes before he lost control and caused the devastating collision at 2:39 a.m. His decision to drive drunk turned a moment of arrogance into a tragedy of unimaginable scale,” Sajjanar said.
I stand firmly by my statement that DRUNK DRIVERS ARE TERRORISTS in every sense. They destroy lives, families, and futures. Such acts will never be tolerated,” the senior officer said.
Hyderabad’s zero tolerance to drunk driving
Stressing that Hyderabad police has a zero tolerance stance against drunk driving, he said, “Every single person caught driving under the influence will face the full force of law. There will be no leniency, no exceptions, and no mercy for those who endanger innocent lives. It’s time we, as a society, stop calling drunk driving a mistake. It is a crime that shatters lives and must be punished accordingly.”
The investigation into the Kurnool bus tragedy has revealed that a biker’s reckless decision to ride drunk claimed 19 lives.
Shiva Shankar and Erri Swamy were returning after dinner and drinks at a dhaba. While Shiva was riding, Erri was sitting pillion. Erri has admitted that both of them were drunk. Shiva lost control of the bike, hit the divider and died on the spot. A bus then ran over the bike and the two-wheeler was dragged along the road. Its fuel tank sparked the fire that claimed the lives of 19 bus passengers.
But, in this particular case of accident near Kurnool, it is lack of alertness or timely action by the driver – both in alerting the passengers or informing the authorities. He just ran away from the scene, which is totally unprofessional for which the bus owner agency or RTC – are responsible. Who will take own up the responsibility here and see that such accidents won’t be repeated?