Greater Noida, September 24 (Daily Kiran) : A tragic bus fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Greater Noida has raised serious concerns about safety standards and operational regulations. The incident, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of nine passengers and injuries to several others, has come under scrutiny following revelations of numerous traffic violations against the bus.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the bus had outstanding fines totaling approximately ₹1.75 lakh for 19 traffic violations. Despite this, it continued to operate on the expressway, transporting passengers. Questions have also been raised regarding the bus’s permit and safety compliance. Notably, it was ticketed for operating without a valid permit. On August 19, the bus received a fine of ₹18,500 for illegally transporting cargo on its roof.
Further investigations revealed that the bus had been repeatedly cited for traffic violations over the past months. On April 7, it was fined ₹6,900 for the driver lacking a valid driving license and not wearing the required uniform. Other fines included ₹15,000 for operating without a permit on August 19, ₹10,000 on July 21, ₹4,000 on June 15, and several others dating back to January.
The ongoing operation of the bus despite these violations raises concerns about enforcement practices. According to initial reports, the fire started after an explosion in the air conditioning system, which ignited the engine’s lubricating oil, rapidly engulfing the vehicle. Many passengers were sleeping in the upper berths of the sleeper bus and had little time to react.
Panic ensued as passengers screamed for help. In the chaos, several broke windows to escape the flames and smoke. Emergency services arrived promptly, and rescue teams worked to evacuate those trapped inside.
More than 20 passengers were successfully rescued, while several injured individuals were transported to nearby hospitals for treatment. In the aftermath of this catastrophic event, investigation agencies are examining the bus’s permit, fitness, driver qualifications, past violations, safety standards, and the actual cause of the fire.
A critical question remains: how was the bus allowed to operate on the expressway despite a history of traffic violations and substantial unpaid fines?
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