Karimnagar: At least 72 passengers travelling in a hired RTC bus on Sunday had a narrow escape when its two rear wheels came off on the outskirts of Morapally village on Jagtial district. The driver applied brakes and prevented a major accident. No one was injured in the accident.
Sources said the bus started from Jagtial with 72 passengers. The driver and the conductor asked some of the passengers to get down since the bus was getting overloaded, but the passengers refused.
Jagtial bus depot manager Sunitha, speaking to Deccan Chronicle, said the bus was hired from a private party. Generally, before every trip, the drivers check the wheels and tyres and then proceed with the journey, she said. The seating capacity of the bus is 50 while 10 to 15 more passengers can travel standing.
After learning about the incident, RTC staff from Jagtial bus depot went to the spot to fix the wheels. Alternative arrangements were made for the passengers.
Meanwhile, BRS working president K.T. Rama Rao alleged that the government was playing with the lives of innocent people. He claimed that the bus was carrying 170 passengers.
Asked about Rama Rao’s claim of 170 passengers being in the bus, RTC sources asked how could a vehicle meant for a maximum of 75 passengers could carry more than twice that number. They pointed out that it was not a case of overcrowding as 12 buses were operated on the Jagtial-Nirmal route.
