यूपी की स्लीपर बसों में बड़े पैमाने पर सुरक्षा उल्लंघन… आजतक की इन्वेस्टिगेटिव रिपोर्ट में चौंकाने वाले खुलासे – UP sleeper buses safety violations India Today investigation uncovers widespread mdsb ntc
In a single night on Monday, five lives were lost, a bus overturned on the highway and by morning this accident had started mixing in the familiar sequence of expressions of condolence and announcements of compensation. But apart from the debris, there is a deeper concern. AajTak’s ground investigations in Lucknow, Kanpur, Agra and Prayagraj reveal that serious security violations are not a new thing but are part of the daily functioning of private sleeper buses.
From illegal iron frameworks welded inside the vehicles to extra berths to blocked emergency exits, from crowded corridors to empty first aid kits, the dangers are visible even before the bus leaves the terminal. Reports show that passenger buses are also carrying goods, exits have been closed and safety rules are limited to paper only.
For the thousands of families who choose sleeper buses because they are cheap and easy to find, the journey often starts with following basic rules. However, the facts found in Aaj Tak’s report show that this thinking may not always be true.
Lucknow:illegal change, exit block
At parking number 7 in Transport Nagar, several sleeper buses were found running in blatant violation of safety rules. Iron angle structures were installed without permission to create space for extra luggage inside the buses. These heavy metal frames were not part of the original design of the vehicle and could have been fatal in an accident.
Large container-like storage units were installed on the roofs, which increased the height of the vehicle and caused problems in the center of gravity.
Inside, the emergency exit windows were closed by the full-size seats. Some exits were smaller than intended, were locked and did not have the required emergency hammers. In one bus, where there should have been an emergency window, a berth was installed and it was being sold as an extra seat. A staff member was found sleeping there and refused to answer questions.
A bus running under the name ‘Fauji.com’ also had similar iron frameworks installed to keep extra luggage.
Regional Transport Office (RTO) official Prabhat Pandey admitted that similar rules were broken in the bus that crashed recently, which included illegal structural changes and double seating arrangement.
Kanpur: Too much crowd, emergency gate sealed
In Kanpur, the inspection team found buses dangerously overcrowded. In a 30-seat train, passengers were over capacity. Mattresses were spread in the corridors to accommodate more people. Four passengers were sitting in double seats and three were sitting in single seats.
The passengers were sitting right in front of the emergency exit. An exit window was sealed with an iron rod. The second was blocked with plywood instead of toughened glass. During inspection, the driver had to take out tools to open it.
The female passenger expressed concern that the emergency windows were too small to exit. In another bus, retroreflectors were missing, no medical kit was available and heavy iron luggage was being carried in the passenger area. A total fine of Rs 50 thousand was imposed on both the buses.
Agra: use of passenger buses to carry goods
Double-decker buses going to Gujarat from Idgah Katghar Road in Agra were found carrying commercial goods along with passengers. The passenger coaches were filled with shoe cartons and other items. Despite an emergency exit plan being displayed inside the bus, a driver failed to produce a first aid kit during inspection.
Prayagraj: empty first aid box, closed windows
First aid kits were found completely empty in two buses in Prayagraj. Iron girders were carried inside the passenger coaches. The emergency windows were closed with mattresses and the passengers were made to sit at the designated exit point. Conversations with drivers and conductors revealed that they had little knowledge about safety rules.
Also read: Horrific bus accident in Jhansi, UP, speeding bus overturned in a field, 30 passengers injured
Rajasthan: Operators protested against strictness
Private bus operators in Rajasthan have gone on strike against the strict checking drive started after several fatal accidents. It is reported that about 30 thousand buses are missing from the roads. Operators are calling it a problem, while the government has called the strike a tactic to create pressure.
Meanwhile, there are stranded passengers – migrant workers, students and families, who rely on these buses because they are cheap and easy to get. They board with the confidence that safety checks have been done. The results found in different cities show that trust is being tested again and again.
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