A tragic bus fire near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, that claimed 19 lives on Friday has sparked a strong response from Telangana Minister Jupally Krishna Rao, who has pointed to both the bus driver’s actions and the travel company, Kaveri Travels, as key factors behind the disaster.

The incident occurred when the bus collided with a motorcycle, dragging it for over 200 meters, which sparked the fire that rapidly engulfed the vehicle. Rao, speaking to NDTV, stated that the driver’s decision to flee after the crash, rather than stopping the bus, contributed to the tragic fire. The bus driver, identified as Laxmaiah, initially noticed the fire but failed to alert passengers or take adequate steps to ensure their safety.

Rao emphasized that Kaveri Travels had failed to provide its drivers with proper crisis training or standard operating procedures (SOPs) for handling emergencies. The minister also accused the company of prioritizing profit over passenger safety.

Further investigations revealed serious safety violations, including the illegal conversion of the bus from a 42-seater to a sleeper bus, which obstructed emergency exits and reduced available space. The fire spread quickly due to the use of highly flammable materials inside the bus, such as non-fire-retardant foam and synthetic seat covers.

In response to the incident, both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh governments have vowed to enforce stricter regulations on private buses. These include mandatory safety inspections, better driver training, and penalties for illegal modifications to vehicles. The incident has also prompted discussions between transport ministers from Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka to explore long-term solutions for road safety.

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