Karnataka cracks down on private buses after fatal Kurnool accident: 604 cases filed, 102 vehicles seized

Karnataka: In the wake of the tragic October 24 accident, in which a private AC sleeper bus travelling from Hyderabad to Bengaluru caught fire, killing 19 passengers, the Karnataka Transport Department has launched an extensive statewide crackdown on private buses flouting safety norms.

Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, taking serious note of the incident, directed the department’s Commissioner to inspect all private buses operating in the state and submit a detailed report. Following this directive, the Additional Transport Commissioner (Enforcement – South) constituted 12 special teams to carry out surprise inspections in Bengaluru Urban and Rural districts.

The focus of the inspections included key safety measures such as emergency exits, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, and the detection of unauthorized goods being transported in passenger vehicles.

Between October 24 and November 5, a 13-day enforcement drive was carried out across 13 Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in Bengaluru city and surrounding areas. During this period, officials inspected 4,452 private buses, registered 604 cases, and seized 102 buses for serious violations.

Authorities also collected a total of ₹1,09,91,284 in fines and taxes from the violators. The checks revealed a range of violations — from expired fitness certificates and missing safety equipment to overloading, unauthorized routes, and unlicensed operations.

The drive comes after widespread outrage over the Kurnool bus tragedy, which exposed serious lapses in vehicle safety and regulation enforcement. Investigations revealed that the ill-fated bus had inadequate fire-safety measures and was carrying inflammable materials in the luggage compartment.

Transport officials said the latest drive is part of a broader initiative to ensure passenger safety and enforce accountability among private operators. “The department is taking strict action against buses not complying with fire safety and emergency regulations. Passenger safety is non-negotiable,” a senior official said.

The enforcement teams have been instructed to continue the inspections regularly and submit progress reports to the department headquarters. Officials warned that private bus operators repeatedly found violating safety rules could face license suspension and prosecution under the Motor Vehicles Act.

In Devanahalli alone, more than 40 private buses were seized last week for failing to meet safety requirements, highlighting the scale of the violations. The department has also planned to intensify monitoring during the upcoming festive travel season, as thousands of commuters depend on private buses for intercity travel.

The clampdown has sent a strong warning to private transport operators, who have long been accused of cutting corners on safety to maximize profits. While the transport department’s action has drawn praise from commuters, activists have called for sustained vigilance rather than one-off campaigns.

“The Kurnool tragedy was a wake-up call. Unless safety checks become a regular feature and not a reactionary measure, such incidents may recur,” said a senior road safety expert based in Bengaluru.

With over 4,000 buses inspected and more than ₹1 crore in fines imposed in just under two weeks, the transport department’s aggressive campaign marks one of its biggest enforcement drives in recent years. Whether it will translate into lasting reform in Karnataka’s private transport sector remains to be seen.

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