Andhra Pradesh Transport Minister Sidda Raghava Rao on Saturday announced a comprehensive probe into the killing of 22 people in an accident near Rajahmundry.
“The East Godavari District Transport Officer (DTO), Kakinada, has been asked to hold a detailed probe to fix responsibility for the accident and suggest measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future,” he said at a press conference in Ongole.
According to preliminary information, the accident occurred when the driver fell asleep, resulting in the vehicle plunging into the Godavari after hitting the railings of Dowleswaram Cotton Barrage, he said.
The government would pay a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased, he said.
Transport and traffic police would step up raids to check drunk driving and over-speeding. As many as 1,300 cases were booked during raids conducted across the State in the last couple of months. The government would come out with elaborate guidelines soon to make all roads safe for travel at all times, he said.
The State government would write to the Centre to make operational all rest houses attached to petrol bunks on national highways for drivers to take rest during their long journey. Had the driver taken rest for an hour or so, the accident would not have occurred, he felt.
Coinciding with new academic year, raids would be conducted to ensure that all school buses followed the guidelines issued to ensure the safety and security of children. “We need to be extra cautious in case of children,” he said and sought the cooperation of the managements of schools.
