Kurnool bus fire: Bengaluru-bound private bus had 16 pending challans, Rs 23,000 in unpaid fines
Despite holding valid fitness and insurance certificates, this bus has been at the center of many traffic violations
By - Sistla Dakshina Murthy
Hyderabad: Clamour is growing for stricter safety measures in buses after 19 passengers were reportedly charred to death when a luxury bus collided with a motorcycle near Chinnatekur in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool district.
The bus that went up in flames had 16 challans pending, with unpaid fines totaling Rs 23,000. Despite holding valid fitness and insurance certificates, this bus has been at the center of many traffic violations.
Cause of the Fire
Preliminary investigation has revealed that bus driver hit the bike resulting in the bike hitting the diesel tank, leading to mammoth fire. Around 42 people were travelling at the time of incident, 19 feared dead.
How the collision happened-
The bus and the biker were travelling in the same direction, the bus hit the biker resulting in the bike going under the bus. The bike then hit the diesel tank. In fraction of seconds the tank caught fire. Meanwhile 12 escaped through emergency way.
Bus Ownership and Registration
The Scania-made bus (registration number DD01N9490) was owned by Vemuri Kaveri Travels and operated by Vemuri Vinod Kumar of Rayagada, Odisha. Purchased on May 2, 2018, it was initially registered in Daman and Diu on August 8, 2018, and later re-registered with Rayagada RTO on April 29, 2025.
The bus carried a base tourist permit valid from May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2030. Its All India Tourist Permit (AITP) was valid till July 31, 2026.
Traffic violations despite valid documents
Despite holding a fitness certificate from Silvassa (Daman and Diu), valid till March 31, 2027, road tax paid up to March 31, 2026, and insurance until April 20, 2026, the bus was a frequent traffic offender. Telangana authorities recorded 16 challans against the bus, with unpaid fines totaling Rs 23,000.
“The investigation is ongoing from all angles. Preventive measures will be taken based on the inquiry report to avoid such accidents in the future,” said the Andhra Pradesh Transport Department.
