Noiseless e-buses blamed for fatal accidents in Bengaluru: Report
Bengaluru: The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has been linked to four fatal accidents involving its buses over the past month.
According to report published by The New Indian Express on Saturday, one of the main contributing factors to these accidents is the use of electric buses, which are noted for their sudden acceleration and harsh braking systems.
Sources quoted in the report pointed out that the drivers of these buses are not appointed by BMTC, but by companies that operate those buses on Gross Cost Contract (GCC).
Nataraj Sharma, president of the Federation of Karnataka Private Transport Associations, which represents private buses, cabs, and autos, highlighted that drivers recruited directly by BMTC have to undergo rigorous tests. “But electric buses are operated by drivers who are hired by private companies. These drivers, who were operating light motor vehicles earlier, are given such big electric buses, leading to accidents,” Sharma alleged.
Another reason for the accidents is the near-noiseless movement of these buses, which makes it difficult for both vehicle users and pedestrians to detect them by sound.
After repeated complaints about the sudden acceleration and harsh braking of electric buses—problems that have led to injuries for both passengers and other road users—BMTC conducted driver workshops earlier this year. However, it appears that the workshops have not been effective in preventing such incidents, added the report.
BMTC’s Chief Traffic Manager (Operations), GT Prabhakar Reddy, defended the corporation, stating that of the four fatalities, three were not caused by the fault of BMTC drivers.
“Every time an accident happens, we analyse footage from all the CCTV cameras fitted in our buses and take action against drivers if they are at fault. But in the three cases, they were not,” TNIE quoted Reddy as saying. He also expressed frustration over BMTC drivers being blamed even when they are not at fault, adding that if everyone followed traffic rules, accidents could be prevented.
In an effort to reduce accidents, BMTC plans to conduct "refresher training" for its 12,000 drivers. The training will focus on three key areas: accident prevention, adherence to traffic rules, and stress management.
“We will play videos on how to avoid accidents. When we train drivers by showing them videos, they understand better. We have enough videos recorded by dash cams of BMTC buses, where our drivers have prevented accidents,” Reddy explained. The training will be conducted in batches of 50 drivers across seven BMTC zonal offices.
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Couple, son 'hacked' to death over witchcraft suspicion in Jharkhand's Palamu
Medininagar (PTI): A couple and their 18-year-old son were allegedly hacked to death over suspicion of practising witchcraft in Jharkhand's Palamu, police said on Sunday.
Their minor daughter was also injured in the attack late on Saturday, a police officer said.
The bodies were recovered from their house on Sunday in Panki police station area, he said.
“Initial investigation suggests that the case is related to witchcraft suspicion,” Manoj Kumar Jha, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Lesliganj told PTI.
A manhunt is on to nab the culprits, Jha said.
The girl suffered severe injuries and has been admitted to a government hospital, he said.
The deceased have been identified as Vijay Bhuiyan (45), his wife Kalia Devi (40), and their son Chotu Bhuiyan.
The bodies have been sent to Medinirai Medical College and Hospital (MMCH) for post-mortem examination.
