Two Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) staff died in a bus accident August 8. About 25 passengers were hurt when the super deluxe bus flipped on the Mysuru-Bengaluru highway. It was headed from Kozhikode to Bengaluru .
Mithilesh, the driver,and N.M . Arun,the conductor,were killed. Mithilesh,a temp at KSRTC,allegedly got little rest before being put back on duty after a previous trip. Raises tough questions. Especially since KSRTC's June 23 directive said only experienced, permanent staff should handle super-class buses.
Days earlier,another KSRTC bus went off Nelliyampathy ghat road. A woman died, several injured. These crashes are becoming common,raising eyebrows at KSRTC's operations.
Critics say several factors lead to these crashes: an old fleet wearing out and drivers not getting enough rest. Many KSRTC buses run for over a decade,way past the five-year mark for super-class vehicles. Last big bus purchase was 2011-2016, so most are outdated.
Staff worry KSRTC's extending bus registrations past 15 years risks lives. Transport Department keeps renewing them, raising safety questions. Buses in super-class service for five years often hit over 1 million kilometers, causing more wear.
Maintenance's another issue . Drivers and conductors say spare parts often ignored,leading to possible mechanical failures. Plus, driver-cum-conductors on long trips,over five hours,are not being used as planned.
After the Bidadi crash,KSRTC confirmed Transport Minister C.P. John coordinated with Karnataka officials for rescue efforts. KSRTC staff from Bengaluru went to the crash site. A special team was sent to various hospitals to check on injured passengers. KSRTC promised to cover their medical costs.
These repeated KSRTC bus incidents spark debate on safety and operational standards. As the Bidadi crash investigation continues,focus stays on inexperienced drivers and the aging fleet's condition.
