Puri: One person died and 25 others sustained grievous injuries after the bus they were travelling in overturned on Puri-Konark marine drive road here Monday afternoon.
The deceased was identified as Lingaraj Behera (35), the conductor of the private bus, a resident of Nalakana in Konark.
The accident took place near Liakhia bridge at 1.30pm. Among the injured, condition of 14 was stated to be critical. One of the critically injured, Ratnakar Behera (78), was shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. Besides, the condition of a couple from Haryana—Sundar Singh (65) and his wife Barmeet Singh (55)—were stated to be critical.
According to sources, the bus named Maa Solapua (OR02-5048) left for Kakatpur from Puri with more than 40 passengers at 12pm. There were some tourists and local residents among the passengers.
Passengers said the bus was moving at a high speed after it crossed Balighai area. The bus was just before the Liakhia Bridge when a cow suddenly came on its way. Sources said the bus driver applied sudden brake to save the cow. Soon after, the driver lost control over the vehicle, which overturned.
On being informed, fire services personnel from Konark and a police team from Ramchandi rushed to the spot and launched a rescue operation. Five ambulances were pressed into service to shift the injured persons to hospital. The injured were shifted to the district headquarters hospital. Ramchandi police registered a case in this regard and seized the bus. However, the driver of the bus escaped from the spot after the accident.
According to sources, hundreds of buses and mini buses ply on Puri-Konark marine drive on a daily basis. The passengers who come to visit Jagannath temple depend on the buses to reach Konark. However, due to alleged negligence and lackadaisical attitude of the transport department, the buses carry passengers beyond the permissible limit. Besides, most of the buses plying on the route do not have fitness certificates. Due to alleged nexus of bus owners with transport officials, the bus operators are minting money from overcrowded buses. Due to lack of fitness and fast driving, accidents happen very frequently on the road, residents alleged.
However, the transport department officials rubbished the allegations of nexus and said the fitness and pollution checks are being conducted on a regular basis.
PNN
