Seven dead in govt bus accident in TN's Salem
Salem (Tamil Nadu) (PTI): Atleast seven persons were killed and several injured when a TNSTC bus collided head-on with vehicles near Ariyanoor village in the district on Friday, police said.
The mishap occurred when the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation bus proceeding to Salem from Coimbatore veered off the road at Uthamasolapuram near Ariyanoor on the Salem-Coimbatore national highway after the bus driver suddenly lost control. It crashed into a two-wheeler, and a goods carrier (auto) carrying about ten persons in the opposite direction before entering a petrol bunk.
Police said five among the deceased were from the same family returning from a function in the goods auto. A five-year-old girl and a 11-month infant were also among the victims.
A woman and her son who were travelling on a two-wheeler were also killed.
About ten persons who were injured have been admitted to the government hospital in Salem for treatment, a police official said, and added that none of the bus passengers were killed in the mishap.
Union Minister L Murugan and AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami expressed their deepest condolences to the bereaved families and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
In separate posts on 'X', they claimed that the accident occurred due to "poor maintenance" of the bus.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
No more street vending on B’luru’s main roads, as govt plans to bring new policy for street hawkers
Bengaluru: Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the state government has decided to formulate a new policy for footpaths in Bengaluru, under which street vending will not be allowed on main roads and sub-main roads.
Addressing the media after a budget preparation meeting and executive meeting of GBA corporations at Vidhana Soudha, Shivakumar said discussions were held with MLAs from the GBA region regarding the corporations’ budgets and key civic issues.
Leader of Opposition R. Ashok also participated in the meeting and shared his views. Officials from multiple departments, including police, BESCOM, BMRCL, BWSSB and BDA, along with ministers and legislators, were present.
He stated that all five municipalities have prepared their individual budgets, while MLAs have submitted their demands, including calls for ward-wise grants.
“We have decided to bring a new policy for footpaths. Citizens are struggling to walk as footpaths are encroached upon by street vendors,” Shivakumar said.
Highlighting the need to balance livelihoods and public convenience, he added that “a separate space will be provided for street vendors, and specific roads will be designated for their business,” ensuring that pedestrians can use footpaths without obstruction. He noted that there was unanimous agreement among MLAs on this approach.
Issuing a warning to vendors, Shivakumar said that authorities will act against those violating the rules. “If vendors operate during the day and leave their carts on the roadside at night, authorities will clear them. People should be aware of this,” he said.
Providing data on street vendors, he said that around 60,000 vendors have registered so far, of which 30,000 have applied for vehicles, and a tender has already been floated.
“Only those with street vendor identity cards will be allowed to do business. Those without ID cards will not be permitted to operate on the streets,” he added.
