Shimla, November 15
Each time there is a major bus accident in the hill state claiming precious lives, the government expresses serious concern, while resolving stricter implementation of the law. But unfortunately, the anxiety proves to be too short-lived for any major change in the existing system.
As many as 46 passengers died in one of the most disastrous accidents near Kufri on November 4, 2008. But a year later, no lessons are learnt. While the cause of Kufri accident was the pre-occupation of the driver with the CD player, in Kangra, it was overloading where a 32-seater bus had almost 80 persons packed like sardines.
The government may draw solace in the fact that the number of accidents involving private buses is three times more than the government-owned Himachal Roadways Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses, but the fact remains that every life is precious. After the Kufri mishap, the then Transport minister, Kishan Kapoor had personally checked buses outside Secretariat to ensure that no stereos are used.
Despite government claims that there is complete ban on use of stereos and mobile phones by drivers, blaring music is being played in buses plying on various routes in the state. Even as far as use of mobile phones by drivers is concerned, there is no let-up, courtesy sporadic checking.
A recent survey says 78 per cent bus accidents are a result of human error, three per cent due to mechanical fault and five pre cent due to bad road condition. “Invariably the drivers engaged by private bus operators, who have a fleet of 2,700 buses as compared to 1900 of the HRTC, are not too well-trained and at times are handling big buses, while having a light motor vehicle (LMV) driving licence,” admitted a senior bureaucrat.
The government rhetoric that licensing process would be made stringent and drivers engaged by
private operators would have to undergo mandatory training at HRTC driving schools remains only a commitment. “We propose to have body of government officials and representatives of private operators to select drivers for private buses,” said Principal Secretary (Transport), PC Kapoor. The fact that these drivers are badly underpaid only adds to the misery of the commuters.
With the terrain being hilly and harsh, overloading is another factor causing accidents. Rooftop travelling is an offence but with both passengers and bus operators caring two hoots for their own safety, the drivers, as was the case in the Kangra accident, find it difficult to negotiate sharp curves.
A major reason for overloading is the non-adherence of the timing and routes allotted to private operators. Guided by profit motives they ply their buses at their own convenience not only resulting in losses to HRTC but also causing overloading.
With much improvement in the road condition in most parts of the state under various projects, there are fewer accidents on this account. The PWD has improved the roads at 300 black spots identified by the police as accident prone areas all over Himachal.
