Fatalities in TGSRTC bus accidents rise in Mancherial

Mancherial: Buses of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) have continued to claim lives in Mancherial district, raising concern among commuters and officials. According to TGSRTC officials, 45 accidents involving the corporation’s buses claimed 25 lives in Mancherial district in 2024-25, marking a sharp rise in fatalities from 16 in 2023-24. The previous year […]

Mancherial: Buses of the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) have continued to claim lives in Mancherial district, raising concern among commuters and officials.

According to TGSRTC officials, 45 accidents involving the corporation’s buses claimed 25 lives in Mancherial district in 2024-25, marking a sharp rise in fatalities from 16 in 2023-24. The previous year had seen 36 accidents resulting in 16 deaths, while 43 accidents and 16 deaths were recorded in 2022-23.

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The buses were involved in 44 road accidents resulting in 25 deaths in 2021-22. Officials attributed the rise in accidents to overcrowding. They said the free bus travel facility introduced by the Congress had led to a surge in women passengers. Of the 49.31 lakh passengers who travelled by buses during the Dasara festival in the erstwhile Adilabad district, 32.60 lakh were women.

Lack of adequate rest for drivers is also suspected to be a major factor. Sources said drivers were being assigned duties for two consecutive days. Though they are supposed to take rest for a day after driving for eight hours in a day, many are being made to drive without the mandatory break, leading to physical and mental stress, a senior official said on condition of anonymity.

Drivers are fatigued due to the extended working hours and many are suffering from health issues, particularly backpain, due to the workload. The fatigue is affecting their concentration levels, leading to accidents. The corporation has been imposing penalties on drivers involved in accidents, which officials admit is affecting the morale of the workforce and the image of the public transport system.

TGRTC officials said steps were being taken to ensure drivers follow traffic rules and to reduce accidents involving corporation buses. Awards are also being presented to drivers for safe driving and remaining accident free.

Road accidents involving TGRTC buses in Mancherial

2024-25

Accidents: 45
Casualties: 25

2023-24

Accidents: 36
Casualties: 16

2022-23

Accidents: 43
Casualties: 16

2021-22

Accidents: 44
Casualties: 25