Imperative to ensure accountability for recurring incidents: Cong after Andhra bus fire incident
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New Delhi (PTI): The Congress on Friday demanded accountability after the loss of lives in a bus fire incident in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district, with Rahul Gandhi saying recurrent accidents like these raise serious questions about the safety of public transport systems.
A Bengaluru-bound private bus from Hyderabad caught fire in Kurnool district on Friday after colliding with a two-wheeler, leaving 12 people dead, a senior police official said.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the tragic incident that resulted in the loss of many precious lives is profoundly distressing.
"I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of all the passengers who lost their lives in this tragedy and wish a swift recovery to those injured," he said.
It is imperative to ensure accountability for these unfortunate recurring incidents, Kharge said.
The tragic incident of a bus catching fire on the Hyderabad–Bengaluru highway in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, resulting in the loss of many precious lives, is profoundly distressing.
— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) October 24, 2025
I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of all the passengers who lost their…
In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said the loss of many innocent lives in the horrific bus fire accident is deeply tragic and painful.
"I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families of all the passengers who lost their lives in this tragedy and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured," the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.
आंध्र प्रदेश के कुरनूल में हैदराबाद-बेंगलुरु हाईवे पर बस में आग लगने के भीषण हादसे में कई निर्दोष लोगों की मृत्यु अत्यंत दुखद और पीड़ादायक है।
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 24, 2025
इस त्रासदी में जान गंवाने वाले सभी यात्रियों के शोकाकुल परिवारों के प्रति गहरी संवेदना व्यक्त करता हूं और घायलों के शीघ्र स्वस्थ होने की…
"Recurrent accidents like these raise serious questions about the safety of our public transport systems. Passenger safety is a top priority, and it is essential to ensure accountability for these accidents, along with responsibility for vehicle maintenance," Gandhi said.
Among the deceased was the biker. According to initial reports, the motorcycle collided with the bus near Chinnatekur in Kurnool and got dragged underneath with its fuel cap open, triggering the blaze.
"So far, 11 passengers and a biker have died. Police are entering the bus to assess the situation, and the fate of nine other passengers is yet to be ascertained," Kurnool Range DIG Koya Praveen told PTI.
He added that a complete picture of casualties and survivors would emerge only after thorough investigation and identification of all those involved in the accident.
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Power tariffs under BESCOM to rise from May 1
Bengaluru (PTI): Power bills for consumers under the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company Limited (BESCOM) will go up from May 1, following an order issued by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) on Friday.
The hike comes after KERC allowed the BESCOM to recover a revenue deficit of Rs 2,068 crore incurred in 2024-25, from the consumers.
As a result, for every unit of electricity consumed in 2024-25, the customers will be charged an additional 56 paise, it said.
"BESCOM shall calculate, for each of the active consumers of FY2024-25 the amount to be recovered based on their actual energy consumption during FY2024-25. Such amount shall be recovered during FY 2026-27 in equal monthly instalments, to be called as 'FY25 True up Charges', commencing from the first meter reading date falling on or after 1 May 2026 and concluding with the reading date ending on 30 April 2027," the order said.
"It is further ordered that BESCOM shall maintain a separate head of account, allocated for the purpose, to record the adjustment of the said amount to ensure full recovery of the deficit," it added.
Similarly Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) has also recorded a revenue deficit of Rs 121.71 crore and can collect an additional 15 paisa per unit for consumption in 2024-25, official sources said.
