A terrifying scene unfolded on National Highway-19 near Ramadevi Chauraha in Kanpur when a luxury double-decker sleeper bus, operated by Palak Travels and en route from Delhi to Varanasi, suddenly erupted in flames. The incident occurred during the night, with an estimated 30 to 40 passengers either sleeping or resting in their seats, while the fire spread with alarming speed, forcing many passengers to leap from the moving vehicle to save their lives. This harrowing event has once again brought to the forefront. Critical issues concerning safety standards and overloading in long-distance buses.
The Outbreak of Fire and Passenger Panic
The fire reportedly originated from smoke emanating from the heavy luggage stored on the bus's upper deck. Upon noticing the smoke, the driver and conductor immediately raised an alarm and attempted to pull the bus over to the side of the road. However, by then, the fire had already escalated into a massive blaze, rapidly engulfing the entire bus. A wave of panic swept through the passengers, while those who were near windows and doors made desperate attempts to escape, leaping onto the road from the moving bus. Some passengers rolled for a considerable distance on the asphalt, but their quick actions ultimately saved their lives. The sight was horrific, with people risking severe injury to escape the inferno.
Heroic Rescue Operation by Police Personnel
Traffic police officers on duty at Ramadevi Chauraha witnessed the burning bus and, without a moment's hesitation, rushed to the scene. Disregarding their own safety, they bravely entered the blazing bus to rescue the screaming and trapped passengers. The police personnel, one by one, carried approximately half a dozen stranded individuals to a safe location. Local residents also assisted in the rescue efforts, throwing water bottles to try and. Douse the flames, though the intensity of the fire rendered these attempts largely ineffective. The courage displayed by these police officers saved multiple lives, and their swift response prevented an even greater tragedy.
Passenger Outrage and Extensive Losses
Following the incident, passengers expressed significant anger towards the bus driver and conductor. They alleged that the bus was severely overloaded with luggage, far exceeding its capacity. Plastic sacks and even iron boxes were reportedly stacked on the roof, which contributed Notably to the rapid spread of the fire. One distraught passenger angrily recounted how he had warned the driver-conductor since 2 AM about the excessive luggage, questioning what would happen if a fire broke out, but his concerns were ignored, while he lamented that valuables worth lakhs were destroyed in the blaze. Another passenger reported losing 20,000 in cash, clothes, and essential documents. A woman traveling to Mirzapur for a wedding was in tears, as her idol of. Laddu Gopal, laptop, clothes, and jewelry worth 40,000 rupees were all consumed by the fire. The incident not only traumatized the passengers physically but also inflicted substantial financial and emotional losses.
Cause of the Fire and Ongoing Investigation
Upon receiving news of the incident, Chief Fire Officer (CFO) Deepak Sharma immediately dispatched six fire tenders to the scene for relief and rescue operations, while due to traffic congestion on the National Highway, the fire department vehicles faced considerable difficulty reaching the site. After approximately an hour of intense effort, the fire was brought under control, but by then, only the charred skeleton of the bus remained. The fire was so fierce that the bus was completely gutted. The police team that arrived at the scene stated that preliminary investigations suggest a short circuit as the primary cause of the fire. However, the presence of hazardous materials and severe overloading on the bus Notably contributed to the rapid spread and intensity of the blaze. This clearly indicates that the disregard for safety standards exacerbated the severity of the incident.
Questions Raised Over Departmental Negligence
This incident has raised serious questions about the inaction of the RTO, GST, and police departments, despite continuous complaints regarding overloading and violations of safety regulations in traveling buses. This negligence, in some way, points to a lack of enforcement against travel agencies that not only evade significant government revenue but also endanger passenger lives. Experts suggest that several travel agencies in Kanpur are involved in large-scale GST evasion, transporting goods across multiple states. It appears that responsible officials in these departments often wait for such incidents to occur rather than proactively taking action against those who violate regulations. Such continued negligence could lead to similar catastrophic events in the future. Unless the concerned departments take their responsibilities seriously and implement stringent enforcement measures.
