Article Today, Hyderabad:
Public outrage continues to mount after the horrific Kurnool bus fire that claimed 19 lives, with the management of V. Kaveri Travels yet to face arrest. The tragedy, which exposed glaring lapses in safety and oversight, has drawn attention to the inaction of authorities and possible political links shielding the company’s owners.
Investigation Stalls Amid Growing Anger
Despite the scale of the tragedy, the investigation appears to have made little progress. Police have arrested only the bus driver, while the management, allegedly responsible for multiple safety violations, remains untouched. Several citizens and activists have questioned why the company’s owners have not been booked under relevant sections.
Accountability and Responsibility
Officials have reportedly found serious irregularities in the operation of the bus, including violations of transport and safety norms. Observers argue that the responsibility lies with the management, which hired and supervised the driver. The fact that the driver was allegedly operating with an invalid licence further highlights the lapses in internal oversight.
Political Influence Suspected
V. Kaveri Travels, a well-known inter-state travel operator, has long been perceived to enjoy political influence. This, many believe, is the reason authorities have hesitated to act decisively. Transport department records confirm the company’s wide network across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, with operations extending to cities such as Bengaluru, Pune, and Bhubaneswar.
Owner Reportedly Untraceable
According to official records, the company is owned by Vemuri Vinod Kumar, a native of Pamuru in Prakasam district. He is said to have established V. Kaveri Travels after splitting from an earlier partnership. Media attempts to contact him have reportedly failed, raising suspicions that he may be absconding. His absence has deepened public distrust in the ongoing investigation.
Regulatory Violations and Safety Concerns
Investigations suggest that several buses operated by the company were registered in states such as Odisha, Nagaland, and Dadra and Nagar Haveli to avoid higher taxes in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Experts say this practice, though common among some private operators, enables companies to bypass local safety inspections. Such violations have now come under renewed scrutiny following the Kurnool tragedy.
Call for Stronger Enforcement
The Kurnool bus fire has reignited debate on regulatory enforcement and corporate accountability in India’s private transport sector. Many have urged both state governments to take decisive action and ensure that business influence does not override public safety. Unless concrete steps are taken, critics warn, similar tragedies could occur again.
