As many as 163 people were killed in accidents involving state-run buses in the last nine months. As many as 1,104 buses of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and 58 buses under Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC) met with accidents. The KURTC suffered a loss of nearly Rs 60 lakh in this regard.
The data comes close on the heels of a woman losing her life in an accident at the KSRTC terminal in Thampanoor the other day. KSRTC buses claimed 28 lives in April, the highest number recorded in a month. In September, 25 people and in August, 23 people were killed in similar accidents.
The death toll stood as follows in the rest of the months—January (15), February (13), March (6), May (19), June (17) and July (17).
A total of 17 persons suffered injuries. While 378 ordinary buses met with accidents, 225 fast passengers and 108 super fast buses caused mishaps. Express buses were involved in 24 accidents.
Kozhikode district witnessed maximum number of accidents—11. In Kollam eight, and six each in Thrissur and Alappuzha met with accidents.
Apart from raising serious concerns over road safety measures, frequent accidents are putting the cash-strapped KSRTC and the new initiative KURTC in huge financial burden.
News: Manorama Online
