Bus safety: Cyberabad commissioner warns erring private travels, orders safety checks on drivers, vehicles

Hyderabad: Cyberabad Commissioner of Police Avinash Mohanty has emphasised the need for strict adherence to traffic rules by bus drivers, warning that violations could result in licence suspensions, with repeated offences leading to permanent cancellation

The CP, along with other officials, conducted a coordination meeting on Thursday with owners and managers of intercity and intracity private bus travel agencies at the Cyberabad CP Office Main Conference Hall.

The meeting focused on critical issues related to road safety, women’s safety on buses, and the prohibition of narcotics transportation.

Bus agencies should do regular checks on drivers, vehicles

Speaking on the occasion, Avinash Mohanty encouraged private bus operators to regularly assess their drivers’ skills and gather feedback from both drivers and passengers to improve service quality.

Telangana State Transport Commissioner K Illambarthy stressed the importance of adhering to fire safety norms mandated by the Supreme Court, stating, “The safety of passengers is paramount.”

IIambarthy recommended installing panic buttons in buses for emergencies and announced that automated fitness checks for buses would begin on October 1 to ensure roadworthiness.

Buses should have safety and monitoring equipment

He urged bus operators to prohibit gas stoves or cooking equipment inside vehicles due to safety risks and highlighted the need for CCTV and dash cameras to monitor safety and assist law enforcement.

To enhance women’s safety, he proposed having female attendants on board and displaying emergency contact numbers for fire, police, ambulance and physicians.

The transport commissioner also said that bus owners should monitor drivers and cleaners through a surveillance system, adhere to night travel protocols and conduct regular awareness programs for drivers.

He also emphasised the importance of having a mechanic available during vehicle breakdowns, conducting regular traffic briefings for drivers, implementing breathalyser checks and performing regular health check-ups for drivers and attendants.

Clearing pending challans promptly, managing driver fatigue, equipping vehicles with seat belts and first aid kits, and having a robust road accident response plan are also essential, he added.

Interstate and city buses are prohibited within Cyberabad

Joint CP Traffic D Joel Davis, IPS said that interstate and intercity passenger buses are restricted from operating within the Cyberabad Commissionerate limits of the ORR from 7:30 am to 10:30 pm but are allowed from 10:30 pm to 07:30 am.

Exceptions include intercity and intracity private buses allowed up to BHEL Junction from Patancheru, while public transport vehicles operated by TSRTC and other state RTCs are exempt. He stated that all goods, transport, heavy, slow-moving, and medium vehicles are prohibited from certain flyovers around the clock, including Cyber Towers Flyover, Forum Mall Flyover, and Durgam Cheruvu Suspension Bridge.

Additionally, adherence to no-entry timings, avoiding stopping in the middle of the road, not blocking free left turns at junctions, maintaining vehicles before each trip, using designated halting points for travel buses and carrying all necessary driving documents is crucial. Any pending challans should be cleared promptly, and no vehicles are permitted on the PVNR Expressway, Joel Davis said.

‘Private travels aiding drugs transport’

Speaking at the meeting, TGANB (Anti Narcotics Bureau) SP P Sai Chaitanya, raised concerns about private buses transporting unauthorised parcels linked to narcotics smuggling.

He instructed operators to prohibit the transport of parcels unrelated to passengers and urged staff to remain vigilant, reporting suspicious activity to the police helpline at 1908/8712671111.

He emphasised the strict enforcement of alcohol and narcotics bans, mandatory luggage screening with scanners, and the collection of passenger details for security. Any discovery of illegal substances should be immediately reported to the police.

The meeting concluded with a collective commitment to ensure safe and secure public transportation, with officials and bus operators agreeing to cooperate closely in implementing the discussed measures.