Following an inquiry into the road accident near Singhnagar flyover on October 27, in which three person were killed on the spot and seven others were injured , the A.P. State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) authorities have suspended the driver of the bus, Nageswara Rao, and mechanic Sambasiva Rao.
RTC also initiated disciplinary action against three others — Rajesh Kumar, manager of the Governorpet depot, Hemalatha, assistant forewoman, and shift supervisor J. Srinivasa Rao.
In a statement, RTC Regional Manager P. Rama Rao expressed regret over the accident and said that it could have been averted had the above-mentioned staff done their duty with diligence.
Mr. Rama Rao said the probe revealed that the driver had reported “air down” problem in the brake system the previous night. Just before the shift, mechanic Sambasiva Rao had found a leakage in the brake pipe and had plugged it and it was entered in the register by the shift supervisor.
The next morning (October 27), Mr. Nageswara Rao drove the vehicle out of the depot but did not complain about any problem in the brake system. After completing the first trip from Kaleswara Rao market to VAMBAY Colony, when the vehicle reached the Singhnagar flyover, the point at which the brake pipe was joined got disintegrated and brakes for the rear tyres failed.
Mr. Rao said instead of using the hand brake to control the speed, the driver repeatedly pressed the brake pedal, resulting in diminishing of air in the cylinder connected to the front brake and allowed the vehicle to run over other vehicles .
