Article Today, Hyderabad:
In Kurnool district, a sleeper bus operated by Vemuri Kaveri Travels caught fire, claiming 19 lives. The bus, originally registered as a seating vehicle, had been illegally converted into a sleeper bus, flagrantly violating transport regulations. First registered in Telangana in 2018, the bus later obtained a new registration and national permit from D.Y. Demon in 2023, allowing it to operate on public roads. Alterations in Rayagada, Odisha, expanded the seating to 43, with the approval of local authorities. The incident exposes severe lapses in compliance and enforcement.
Pending Violations Ignored
Investigations revealed that the bus had 16 pending challans. Regulations mandate seizure if a vehicle has over ten pending fines, but officials failed to act. The bus continued operations without clearing the penalties or appearing in court. The combination of administrative neglect and operator indifference directly contributed to the fatal incident.
Collusion with Authorities
Rayagada RTA officials reportedly approved the seating alteration. However, Vemuri Kaveri Travels misused the permission to convert the bus into a sleeper. Reports indicate bribes were paid to officials for fitness certification. The case illustrates how private transport operators exploit regulatory loopholes and manipulate authorities to bypass safety norms, placing passengers’ lives at risk.
Lives Endangered for Profit
The tragedy has exposed the reckless practices of private transport operators. Converting seating buses into sleepers without proper approvals directly jeopardizes passenger safety. Continued violations, including unpaid fines and unmonitored road operations, underscore systemic flaws in the transport department and the excessive greed of private operators. The incident calls for urgent scrutiny and accountability to prevent future tragedies.
