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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Two girls injured in separate wolf attacks in UP's Bahraich
Bahraich (UP) (PTI): Two minor girls were injured in separate incidents of wolf attacks in the Bahraich district, forest department officials said on Saturday.
In the first incident on Friday, Anushka Nishad (5), daughter of Baliram from Mallahanpurwa village, was sleeping alone inside her house when a wolf entered and tried to carry her away, they said.
Hearing her screams, family members and villagers rushed to the spot. The wolf left the child, hearing the commotion, and ran towards the fields. The girl sustained minor injuries from the animal's teeth, the officials said.
Divisional Forest Officer Ram Singh Yadav described the attack as deliberate and cleverly planned, as it occurred precisely when Anushka's mother went out for a few moments.
On the same day, Nancy (4), daughter of Kamlesh Yadav, was playing outside her house in Baburi Tola village when a wolf suddenly attacked and dragged her away.
Villagers raised an alarm, and the wolf released the child and ran towards the sugarcane fields. The injured child was sent to the Kaiserganj Community Health Centre for treatment.
Divisional Forest Officer Ram Singh Yadav told reporters that both attacks involved wolves, adding that the entire area is plagued by the animal's activity.
Since September 9, such attacks in the Bahraich district have claimed 10 lives, including eight children and an elderly couple, and injured dozens of people, the officials said.
District Magistrate Akshay Tripathi met the families of the victims on Friday and consoled them.
