Photo shows an Odisha travels bus completely gutted by fire that was en route from Bhubaneswar to Malkangiri in Vizianagaram. FIle
| Photo Credit: ANI
Vizianagaram Deputy Transport Commissioner D. Mani Kumar on Thursday (March 26, 2026) directed all private buses to adhere to safety norms strictly since many passengers are unable to get down immediately whenever the vehicles are involved in road accidents.
Speaking to The Hindu, he said that the department had been conducting inspections in nearly 50 private buses plying to various destinations including Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar and other parts. I
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In the backdrop of major road accidents at Markapuram and Ramabhadrapuram of Vizianagaram, he said that the special teams would verify safety norms in the vehicles.
According to him, exit doors are being closed with additional berths in the buses. Very narrow walking or aisle space is left in the buses as 90% of the space is allocated for berths or seats. There is no alarm facility to make passengers to get down immediately in case of accidents. The passengers who are in deep sleep are unable to get down quickly from upper berths during fire accidents.
Mr. Mani Kumar said that the passengers’ lives could be saved if safety norms within the buses are followed as per the rules and regulations. He said that the drivers and attendants should play a vital role in alerting the passengers to get down quickly in a disciplined manner.
Published – March 26, 2026 02:35 pm IST
