Bus ran sans valid permit; emergency doors were 'blocked'

The deadly fire in a sleeper bus in Lucknow on Thursday laid bare the rampant violations of not just permit conditions but also of critical safety and technical norms by private buses operating illegally as stage carriages.

- Brajendra K Parashar

LUCKNOW: Five people—two of whom were children—were killed in the mishap.

Despite securing contract carriage or tourist permits, these buses brazenly pick up and drop off passengers at multiple destinations — a practice that has been continuing unchecked for years with UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), which alone is authorised to operate buses on notified highways and expressways, failing to cater the demand.

In the latest case, the ill-fated bus obtained a special permit from Baghpat on May 10. The permit was valid till May 15. The bus obtained a temporary permit earlier, too, on several occasions. The bus, bearing registration no. UP17 AT6372, met with the accident on the Kisan Path resulting in the death of five passengers and injuries to 13 others. The fire was said to be caused by an electrical short circuit. Starting from Begusarai in Bihar, the bus was bound for Delhi.