Karnataka transport minister Ramalinga Reddy orders safety audit of state-run buses
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy has directed the managing directors of the four state-run road transport corporations to conduct a safety audit of their buses in the wake of the recent bus accident in Kurnool that claimed 20 lives.
He also instructed officials to undertake a review of the renewal and maintenance of all buses.
The directive applies to vehicles operated by the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC), Kalyana Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (KKRTC) and North Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC).
In a letter dated October 28, the state transport minister described the Kurnool accident as "deeply tragic".
"In this context, safety systems in all transport corporation buses across the state must be reviewed," he said.
Recalling a similar accident near Haveri district during his previous tenure as transport minister, when a private bus caught fire killing several passengers, Reddy said the incident had prompted a state-wide safety drive.
He said the campaign was launched to ensure that around 50,000 vehicles—including transport corporation buses, contract carriage buses, private tourist buses, tempo travellers and school vehicles—were fitted with functional emergency exit doors.
"During that campaign, several deficiencies were identified, and the installation of emergency exits was made mandatory," the letter stated.
Reddy further directed officials to maintain strict vigilance to ensure that no easily inflammable or explosive materials are transported along with commercial goods or luggage on buses.
He said all air-conditioned buses must be equipped with hammers to break windows in case of emergencies, and that no person should be allowed to sleep or rest in the luggage compartment area.
"A review must also be conducted regarding the renewal and maintenance of buses. If any lapses are found in these aspects, strict action should be taken without leniency against those responsible," he added.
Stressing that passenger safety remains the top priority, the minister said no compensation can make up for the loss of human life.
"Therefore, I have directed that teams be immediately formed to conduct a safety audit of buses and take appropriate action accordingly," Reddy said.
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BJP to fight Assam polls on twin planks of development, secure state
Guwahati (PTI): In a bid to win the Assam Assembly elections for the third time in a row, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday advised the state BJP brass to fight on twin planks: development and a secure state.
Shah, who wound up a two-day visit to Assam, held a nearly two-hour-long meeting with senior leaders of the BJP state unit at the party headquarters here, with a focus on discussing strategy for the state elections, expected in March-April.
Briefing reporters after the closed-door meeting, BJP Assam president Dilip Saikia said, "Development and a secure Assam will be our twin electoral planks."
He also said that Shah, known for his expertise in electoral politics, has offered valuable suggestions, and based on it, an action plan to retain power in the state will be formulated soon.
“Discussions were held in detail on our organisational and political calendars. Shah ji offered some very valuable suggestions, and we will implement those at the earliest…We will share more details on the action plan soon,” Saikia said.
He further said that the Union minister exhorted the state party leadership to ensure that not only do they secure a ‘massive landslide victory’ but also bag more seats than in the previous election.
The BJP currently leads a coalition government in Assam with the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) and United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), while the Bodoland People's Front (BPF) has also extended support.
In the 126-member Assembly, the BJP now has 64 legislators, while its allies AGP, UPPL and BPF have nine, seven and three memnbers, respectively. In the opposition camp, the Congress’ strength is 26, while AIUDF has 15 members and CPI(M) one. There is an Independent legislator also, belonging to Raijor Dal.
Saikia said that the party will continue to contest the state polls in coalition with its NDA allies, which was also favoured by Shah.
Dismissing reports of chinks in the ruling coalition, the Lok Sabha MP said, “As far as the NDA is concerned, we are united in Assam. There could be discussions about some issues on individual party forums.”
The saffron party has maintained that its alliance with the regional parties will continue, and formalities like seat-sharing arrangements are being worked out.
Shah, who was on his second visit to the state within a month, attended two other events in Dibrugarh and Dheamji earlier in the day. He left for West Bengal after the meeting at the Guwahati state party headquarters.
