Transport authorities in Telangana continued their crackdown on private buses for violations of safety and fitness norms on Sunday. A transport department official informed that 14 cases were booked for offences such as inadequate safety measures, resulting in penalties amounting to ₹46,000. The inspections began on Saturday morning following the bus fire in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh on October 24, which tragically resulted in nearly 20 deaths.
Nearly 500 inter-state private travel buses operate from Hyderabad daily.
Earlier, Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar had stated he would meet his Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka counterparts to establish measures aimed at preventing bus accidents amidst heavy inter-state traffic. He warned private bus operators of strict action if they failed to maintain vehicle fitness and comply with statutory regulations.
"The owners should follow rules and ensure that the buses do not overspeed, as private buses are known to travel at high speed," he added.
Nineteen passengers travelling in the private bus and a motorcyclist were burnt to death in the early hours of October 24th after the coach collided with a two-wheeler at Chinnatekuru village in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh. The bus had 44 passengers, several of whom managed to escape the blaze.
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