In a tragic incident that has shocked Tamil Nadu, a collision between two government buses in Sivaganga district on Sunday resulted in the loss of 11 lives. In response, State Transport Minister S S Sivasankar has assured the public that driver training protocols will be intensified and a thorough investigation launched into potential driver workload issues.
Minister's Visit and Immediate Response
On Monday, Minister Sivasankar visited the Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai to meet with the injured victims. Addressing the media, he described the Sivaganga accident as the most horrific reported in the state over the past three years. He directly countered allegations from opposition parties regarding driver inexperience and contract-based hiring, clarifying that both drivers involved in the crash were trained government employees.
Sivasankar emphasised that qualified and experienced drivers are specifically selected for long-distance routes. He detailed the standard government procedure, where recruitment is based on both experience and performance during rigorous practical driving tests.
Addressing Systemic Challenges and Relief Measures
The minister acknowledged the practice of hiring contract workers to fill vacancies created by retiring employees, stating this is an interim measure to ensure uninterrupted bus services—a common practice in government operations. He also provided an update on recruitment, saying, "We have also recruited nearly 3,000 drivers, and interview processes are ongoing."
When questioned about the recurring nature of such accidents, Sivasankar confirmed that a departmental probe is underway to determine the exact cause, which he preliminarily attributed to "some negligence."
Co-operation Minister Provides Updates on Victims
In a parallel development, Minister for Co-operation K R Periakaruppan visited injured passengers at the Karaikudi Government Hospital. He provided crucial updates on the victim identification and relief process.
Periakaruppan reported that 10 of the victims' bodies have been handed over to their relatives, with only one body remaining unidentified. Following the announcement by Chief Minister M K Stalin, financial assistance was immediately mobilised for the bereaved families. Funds were disbursed to three families on Sunday night itself, and cheques have so far reached eight families.
"The number of people receiving treatment in the hospital is declining, and they too will receive appropriate relief," Periakaruppan added, offering a glimmer of solace amidst the tragedy.
