Transport Dept Cracks Down on Private Buses After Kurnool Accident

Following the recent private travel bus accident in Kurnool district, the Transport Department has stepped up inspections of private buses across the region. Several vehicles have been seized, and multiple operators have been booked for serious safety violations.

Officials registered cases against six buses on Friday and ten on Saturday, seizing six in total. The buses belong to operators including Varshini, Kaveri, AR Travels, Srikrishna Travels, and KRT Travels. Violations reported include changes to seating layouts, blocked emergency exits, and operating without valid permits.

Deputy Commissioner RCH Srinivasa Rao stated that the inspections were carried out under the instructions of Transport Commissioner Manish Kumar Sinha. “We are ensuring that private operators follow safety norms and regulations,” he said. The inspections come after several recent incidents, including a bus fire in Rajasthan on the 15th of last month and the Kaveri Travels accident in Kurnool.

Many residents from the Uttar Andhra region who study or work in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai frequently travel home by private buses. On average, about 50 private buses operate daily from Visakhapatnam, with the number rising to over 100 during festival seasons.

Authorities noted that some operators intentionally violate rules to increase profits. Buses are often modified after registration, with extra seats added and emergency exits obstructed. Some tourist buses are also operated as stage carriers. In addition, narrow roads in several parts of the state make evacuation during emergencies more difficult. Many buses are registered in other states, making it harder for local authorities to enforce regulations consistently.

In the last 11 days, 56 buses have been booked, with fines totaling around Rs. 10 lakh. Officials said the inspection drive will continue to ensure passenger safety and stricter compliance with transport rules.