New Delhi: Moments of panic were witnessed near the Rajghat traffic signal in central Delhi on Monday after the brakes of a Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) bus allegedly failed, forcing the driver to deliberately ram the vehicle into a road divider to prevent a possible tragedy. The incident occurred around midday when the bus, traveling from Sarai Kale Khan towards Rajghat, developed a technical fault while in motion, according to police officials.
Quick Response by Police
A PCR call about the accident was received at IP Estate police station, following which a team rushed to the spot. Preliminary inquiry revealed that the bus was not carrying any passengers at the time, and only the driver and conductor were on board. As the vehicle approached the busy intersection, the driver reportedly realized that the brakes were not functioning properly. Fearing that the bus could go out of control on the crowded stretch, he allegedly steered it towards the divider to bring it to a halt.
No Injuries Reported
No injuries or casualties were reported, and both the driver and conductor escaped unharmed, police said. The bus sustained minor damage in the impact with the divider. Police are probing the incident to ascertain the exact sequence of events and verify the driver's claims. The bus has been taken for mechanical inspection to determine the cause of the brake failure.
Recent Spate of DTC Bus Accidents
The incident comes amid a spate of fatal accidents involving DTC buses in recent months. Last week, a 40-year-old man was killed after being hit by a DTC bus near the Dhaula Kuan metro station. In March, two people died after a DTC bus struck an e-rickshaw and rammed into multiple vehicles in Nangloi. These incidents have raised concerns about the maintenance and safety of DTC buses. Authorities have been urged to conduct thorough checks on all buses to prevent such occurrences.
The driver's quick thinking and presence of mind potentially saved many lives, as the intersection near Rajghat is usually crowded with pedestrians and vehicles. The Delhi Transport Corporation has assured that necessary action will be taken based on the investigation report.
