Hyderabad: Following a tragic bus accident in Kurnool that took 19 lives, the Telangana Transport Department began inspections of private buses in Hyderabad, Rangareddy, and nearby areas to ensure passenger safety.
Officials conducted surprise checks, leading to around 150 cases being filed. They collected over Rs 3 lakh in fines and seized five buses for breaking transport rules.
During these inspections, many buses lacked essential fire safety tools like extinguishers and emergency hammers. Some were missing first aid kits and driver uniforms, while others were transporting unauthorized goods. Inspectors also found buses with illegal horns and fittings between October 25 and 27.
The checks revealed that several buses operated without valid insurance or passenger lists. Senior officers oversaw the inspections to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Some operators made illegal changes to buses, such as converting seats into sleeper configurations or carrying commercial goods. A transport officer noted one bus registered for 23 seats was altered to have 29, which can destabilize the vehicle.
Joint Transport Commissioner Ch Ramesh highlighted that many operators ignore basic safety standards, prompting strict actions against them. He stressed that passenger safety is the department’s main focus.
Officials pointed out that private operators often use passenger buses to transport goods like electronics and textiles, especially when passenger demand is low.
A significant issue found was overspeeding. According to the Motor Vehicles Act, private buses should not exceed 80 km/h on highways. However, many were caught going over 120 km/h. Ramesh warned that speeding and overloading can lead to dangerous accidents.
To address this, the department is using real-time tracking systems to monitor speed violations. Ongoing checks aim to ensure adherence to the Motor Vehicles Act, fire safety regulations, and permit conditions.
Transport authorities instructed district units to keep up the inspections and provide weekly compliance reports.
