Karnataka Grapples with Alarming Bus Safety Issues Amid Rising Accidents
Data from the Karnataka transport department has revealed a concerning trend in bus safety, with the state recording a total of 5,777 cases of buses being driven rashly and causing accidents between 2023 and 2025. This translates to an average of approximately 160 incidents per month, highlighting a persistent problem on the roads.
State-Run Buses Account for Majority of Accidents
More than 60% of these accidents involved state-run buses, raising serious questions about the operational standards and driver training protocols within public transport systems. The statistics underscore a systemic issue that requires immediate attention from authorities to safeguard passenger lives.
Recent Fire Incidents Ignite Legislative Debate
The safety of bus travel has come under intense scrutiny following a recent incident where a private sleeper bus traveling from Shivamogga to Bengaluru caught fire last week. This event triggered a heated debate in the legislative council, with lawmakers expressing grave concerns over passenger welfare.
Transport department data indicates that there were only two incidents of buses catching fire in the past three years. One occurred on December 25 last year in Chitradurga, resulting in the tragic loss of eight lives, while the other took place in Shivamogga on January 27, where all passengers fortunately survived.
Allegations of Cargo Transport in Passenger Buses
As investigations into the cause of the recent fire incident are underway, BJP member Kishore Kumar Puttur raised alarming allegations in the Upper House. He argued that innocent lives are being endangered because sleeper buses are being misused to transport cargo, including highly inflammable materials such as cylinders, paint, and crackers.
Puttur highlighted that this practice is driven by greed and attempts to evade transport taxes. He described scenes where luggage is openly loaded into buses and even placed on rooftops, a routine sight at locations like Anandrao Circle in Bengaluru. "Oblivious passengers, who travel home for holidays and weekends, face the risk of losing their lives," he warned, emphasizing the dire consequences of such negligence.
Government Response and Safety Measures
In response to these concerns, Transport Minister R Ramalinga Reddy outlined steps being taken to enhance bus safety. He reported that all bus owners and promoters were briefed last month on the National Human Rights Commission’s 10-point guidelines. During this meeting, it was recommended that a public announcement system be installed in buses to inform passengers about safety measures.
Additionally, Reddy assured that department staff actively screen luggage transported in KSRTC buses, aiming to prevent the carriage of hazardous materials. These measures are part of broader efforts to address the root causes of accidents and improve overall transport safety standards in Karnataka.
The ongoing debate and data revelations point to a critical need for stricter enforcement and public awareness to mitigate risks and ensure safer travel for all commuters in the state.
