The State government will take stern action against errant private bus operators and also curb illegal transport of passengers by goods transport vehicles to check accidents, according to Transport Minister Sidda Raghava Rao.
Taking a serious view of the accident involving a marriage party which left 15 persons dead and 35 others injured on Saturday, Mr. Rao said he would convene a meeting of private bus operators after the capital foundation stone laying ceremony and warn them to mend their ways or face punitive action. Based on the inquiry by Guntur District Transport Commissioner G. C. Rajaratnam, follow up action would be taken to prevent recurrence of such mishaps, he told The Hindu .
Mr. Rajaratnam said the department would step up efforts to curb unsafe travel by goods transport vehicle by imposing hefty fines on violators besides stepping up awareness campaigns. Meanwhile, Kandukur DSP V. Srinivasa Rao said rash driving by the driver of the private bus was mainly responsible for mishap. Mr. Rao said blood and urine samples of the driver were being examined to ascertain whether he was in an inebriated condition. It was found that the private bus was carrying a cooking gas cylinder against rules. While one of the injured was discharged, 15 others were shifted to a multi-speciality hospital here for treatment while the rest were being treated at various hospitals in Kandukur.
ZP vice-chairman N. Balaji urged the State government to enhance the ex gratia for the next of kin of the deceased to Rs. 10 lakh .
MRPS founder president Manda Krishna also sought the same amount as compensation.
Sk. Jilani Basha, State president Staff and Workers Federation in APSRTC told reporters that the corporation was losing Rs. 1,800 crore due to illicit transport operations by private players.
Transport Minister to hold meeting soon after capital foundation day fete
