In the wake of heightened road-safety concerns, authorities at the Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Authority (RTA) have intensified enforcement actions in the Tirupati region. Private travel buses operated by the firms Srivari Travels and No 1 Air Travels—which were found to be in violation of RTA regulations—have been seized and parked at the Mangalam depot in Tirupati. The move comes in the light of a broader crackdown triggered by a deadly incident in Kurnool district.
At the heart of the action lies the tragic double-decker bus fire near Chinna Tekuru village in Kurnool, where at least 19 passengers and a biker lost their lives in what has been described as a “preventable massacre”. Investigations revealed that emergency exits were obstructed, fire-safety equipment was missing, and the driver’s credentials were allegedly obtained via forged documents.
In Tirupati, RTA officials state that the seizures of the Srivari Travels and No 1 Air Travels buses were prompted by serious rule‐breaks, including operation without valid contractual carriage permits, inadequate safety gear and non-compliance with structural standards. These buses are now parked at Mangalam depot pending further investigation.
Officials emphasise that the Kurnool tragedy has acted as a wake-up call across districts: the lessons being that regulatory oversight cannot be relaxed and that private bus operators must adhere strictly to norms covering emergency exits, fire suppression systems, valid documentation and driver competence.
The RTA in Tirupati has urged the travelling public to remain vigilant, demand that buses display valid permits, carry fire extinguishers and have clear, unblocked emergency exits. The recent seizures send a clear message: safety violations will lead to prompt action. With the Kurnool disaster still fresh in many minds, the focus now is on pre-emptive inspection rather than reactive tragedy.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/19-charred-to-death-in-bus-blaze-near-kurnool/articleshow/124794403.cms?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://www.deccanherald.com/india/telangana/kurnool-bus-tragedy-day-after-accident-authorities-crack-down-on-private-buses-in-telangana-3774917?utm_source=chatgpt.com