Transport Department seizes 102 private buses in Bengaluru during post-Kurnool safety crackdown

The Karnataka Transport Department has launched a series of early-morning enforcement operations in Bengaluru, stepping up safety checks on private buses in the wake of the recent Kurnool bus fire accident.

The special drive, which began on October 24 and went on till November 5, led to the seizure of 102 private buses, including seater, sleeper, and semi-sleeper types from different States. The department also collected ₹1 crore in penalties during this period.

According to senior officials, 13 enforcement teams were deployed across 10 key locations in the city, focusing primarily on Attibele and Devanahalli, two major entry and exit points into Bengaluru. The teams inspected buses to check for emergency exits, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and compliance with permit and road tax regulations.

A senior official said the inspections followed the Kurnool tragedy, which highlighted major lapses in passenger safety standards. “The inspection has been carried out to ensure that all buses plying on the roads are equipped with proper fire safety measures and functional emergency exits. We will continue these checks to make sure operators strictly follow safety norms,” the official added.

During the inspections, several private operators holding the All India Tourist Permits were found to be illegally running stage carriage services, in violation of their permit conditions. Many were also penalised for non-payment of State road tax, the officials confirmed.

The official further added that the ongoing checks would continue until full compliance is achieved across all operators.

Following the fatal bus fire in Kurnool, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy had directed a Statewide safety audit covering both government and private buses. The audit aims to assess the mechanical fitness, emergency preparedness, and fire safety systems of the vehicles.

As part of this initiative, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation has begun checking the Fire Detection and Suppression Systems and Fire Alarm and Protection Systems installed in its fleet.

The officials are ensuring that these systems are fully functional and that crew members are trained to handle fire emergencies.

The corporation has also instructed that all night-service buses must carry two fire extinguishers of five litres each, while day-service vehicles must adhere to prescribed safety standards.