Accidents involving KSRTC buses on the rise; over 600 cases in one year

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Accidents involving KSRTC buses are increasing day by day. In the past one year alone, more than 600 minor and major accidents have been caused by KSRTC buses. On Wednesday, two accidents were reported in Thiruvananthapuram alone.

Near Karakkamandapam, a KSRTC bus that was overtaking a scooter from behind hit the vehicle, killing Gopakumar, Chief Photographer of Chandrika daily, on the spot. In another incident at Kazhakkoottam, a KSRTC bus rammed into a scooter from behind, seriously injuring Sandhya, a Technopark employee.

On the 5th, a KSRTC bus lost control and hit a police jeep carrying accused persons to jail in Adoor, injuring six people, including police personnel. While KSRTC is setting records in ticket revenue, accidents involving its buses are also rising.

Even as the Transport Minister repeatedly states that steps are being taken to reduce accidents, negligence by drivers continues to be a major cause. Studies and reviews to reduce accidents are said to be conducted at both unit and head office levels.

List prepared, training given, but concerns remain

1. KSRTC says it has prepared a list of drivers who are repeatedly involved in accidents and is providing them with continuous training. However, recent incidents suggest that these measures are not producing the desired results.

2. It has been found that buses from the Thiruvananthapuram Central, Kottarakkara, Kozhikode, and Ernakulam units are involved in more accidents. The management claims that drivers from these units have been given follow-up training.

Negligence cited as main cause
An expert committee has found that many accidents are caused by driver negligence. At the same time, there are allegations that while temporary employees are dismissed even for minor mistakes, permanent staff who are repeatedly involved in accidents are being protected. Critics point out that while a temporary driver was dismissed for allegedly making gestures while driving, drivers involved in fatal accidents are allowed back on the road. However, drivers argue that the age of the buses and poor road conditions are also major factors contributing to accidents.