Kurnool bus fire: Transport dept seizes 2 private coaches, ramps up safety checks in Telangana
Officials have put the department on high alert to prevent similar incidents and ensure passenger safety.
By Newsmeter Network
Hyderabad: Telangana Transport Department has intensified safety inspections of private travel buses across the state on Saturday.
This comes after the Kurnool bus inferno left 19 passengers dead on Friday.
Officials have put the department on high alert to prevent similar incidents and ensure passenger safety.
Highway Checks Target Safety Compliance
RTA teams conducted thorough inspections along major routes, including the Vijayawada and Bengaluru highways, and at Gagan Pahad in the Rajendranagar area. Buses arriving from Andhra Pradesh were closely scrutinized for fire safety equipment, medical kits, and adherence to safety regulations.
Violations Lead to Seizures and Legal Action
During the inspections, five private buses were booked for violating safety norms. One bus, operating with a broken mirror, was seized after passengers revealed it had been involved in a previous accident near Jadcherla.
At Chintalakunta in LB Nagar, officials seized one bus for non-compliance and detained four others for operating without proper authorization. Authorities confirmed the crackdown will continue until strict adherence to transport rules is ensured.
Data Reveals Widespread Violations
A review by the Rachakonda commissionerate showed that between January 2023 and October 24, 2025, private buses were issued 13,934 challans for violations such as unauthorised entry, wrong parking, and signal-jumping.
Hotspots for Offences
Key pick-up points for these buses include Dilsukhnagar, Saroornagar, LB Nagar, and Pallavi Gardens in Vanasthalipuram for Vijayawada-bound services, and Sagar Road bus stop for those heading towards Nagarjunasagar.
Enforcement on the Rise
Challans have steadily increased over the last three years, with 2,898 issued in 2023, 5,431 in 2024, and 5,605 so far in 2025. The most frequent offences this year include buses entering no-entry zones (1,779 cases), wrong parking on carriageways (1,071 cases), and unauthorised or obstructive parking on public roads (774 cases).
Additionally, 303 drivers were penalised for failing to wear the prescribed uniform. Officials emphasized that these measures aim to curb unsafe practices and ensure passenger safety across the state.
