A horrific bus accident near Chevella in Telangana on Monday morning resulted in the deaths of at least 19 individuals, including a three-month-old girl. The accident occurred around 7:30 am on the Mirjaguda–Khanapur road (Hyderabad–Bijapur Highway) when a tipper lorry loaded with gravel reportedly rammed head-on into a TSRTC (TS 34 TA 6354) bus. There were around 72 passengers in the bus when the accident occurred.
Emerging details from the bus accident spot
The fatal mishap involved a Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) bus and a heavy tipper lorry. Preliminary reports indicate the collision happened when the lorry, allegedly travelling on the wrong route or attempting to overtake a two-wheeler, crashed into the public transport bus. The impact was so severe that gravel from the lorry toppled onto the bus, significantly worsening the situation and trapping many passengers.
There are three sisters of the same family among the dead. All the deceased are from Chevella.
Cyberabad police officials confirmed 19 fatalities so far. Authorities shifted the bodies to the Area Hospital in Chevella. The police have launched an investigation into the precise cause of the bus-lorry collision.
Chief Minister Revanth orders relief measures
Both the Telangana Chief Minister and other ministers expressed deep shock and immediately directed officials to expedite relief efforts.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to immediately reach the bus accident site in Chevella mandal and intensify relief measures. Crucially, the CM instructed officials to shift all injured passengers to Hyderabad for better medical treatment.
The Telangana government also announced 5 lakh ex gratia to the families of the deceased. IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu sought a detailed report on the fatal accident and instructed officials to personally supervise rescue operations without delay. He also directed the Medical and Health Department to ensure the best possible treatment for the injured at the Chevella Government Hospital.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar spoke with the TGSRTC Managing Director regarding the cause, with officials confirming the tipper lorry was coming from the wrong route when it hit the bus.
Additionally, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Konidala Pawan Kalyan expressed shock over the incident and conveyed their condolences.
This horrific loss of life on the national highway has highlighted urgent concerns regarding road safety measures in Telangana, particularly controlling over-speeding and adherence to traffic rules by heavy vehicles.
It may be recalled that 20 people were burnt to death recently when a private sleeper bus caught fire after an accident with a two-wheeler in Kurnool district.
The frequency of such freak road accidents and the mounting number of casualties are alarming. A pall of gloom has descended on the entire Telangana over the road mishap.
