TTD chief orders probe into electric bus mishap on ghat road

TIRUPATI: TTD chairman Y.V. Subba Reddy on Thursday directed officials to conduct a thorough inquiry into the electric bus mishap on the first ghat road leading to Tirupati from Tirumala.

At the same time, he instructed the TTD engineering wing to construct a concrete retaining wall at the spot of the mishap to prevent such accidents in the future.

The TTD chairman visited the accident spot on Thursday and reviewed the matter with officials. Speaking to reporters later, he said the bus had no technical issues. The accident leading to minor injuries to passengers had been due to overspeeding and human error.

“Olectra company and RTC officials have informed us that there had been no technical fault. Overspeeding and driver negligence are being probed. With the blessings of Lord Venkateswara Swamy, a major mishap has been averted,” Subba Reddy observed.

He instructed officials to take steps for avoiding the recurrence of such mishaps on Ghat roads. He directed officials concerned to give more training to drivers on electric buses and ensure the safety of passengers.

APSRTC had constituted a committee with the chief traffic manager (Operations), chief mechanical engineer (Maintenance), DPTO of Chittoor and a representative of Evey Trans (JAB) Private Limited to inquire into the mishap. The committee members will also study the criteria for selecting drivers who operate buses on Tirumala Ghat roads.