Bengaluru, October 25, 2025
In the shadow of the devastating Kurnool bus fire that claimed at least 20 lives early Friday morning, the Karnataka government has swiftly mandated enhanced safety protocols for all public and private buses operating within the state. The new directive, announced by Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy, requires the installation of additional emergency exit doors and fire extinguishers in every vehicle, aiming to prevent a repeat of the tragedy where passengers were trapped in a blazing inferno due to jammed doors and inadequate escape routes.
The Kurnool incident unfolded around 2:30 a.m. on the Hyderabad-Bengaluru highway in Andhra Pradesh's Kurnool district, when a private Volvo bus en route to Bengaluru collided with a recklessly driven motorcycle, sparking a massive fire that engulfed the vehicle within minutes. At least 20 passengers, many of whom were asleep, perished in the blaze, with the death toll potentially rising as investigations reveal a pillion rider on the bike survived but the biker's actions—possibly under the influence—triggered the chain of events. Viral CCTV footage captured the biker weaving dangerously moments before the crash, highlighting lapses in road enforcement and vehicle preparedness.
Karnataka's response comes amid growing outrage over the incident, as the bus was carrying scores of tech professionals and families bound for Bengaluru, leaving grieving kin in shock. "This is a wake-up call we cannot ignore. The images of passengers pounding on jammed doors as flames consumed the bus are haunting," Reddy said during a press briefing at Vidhana Soudha. "Effective immediately, all buses must retrofit at least one additional emergency door—preferably roof-mounted or side-hatch—and equip every seat row with accessible fire extinguishers. Non-compliance will result in immediate suspension of permits and fines up to ₹5 lakh."
The mandate builds on existing Central Motor Vehicles Rules but escalates requirements in light of recent audits revealing that over 40% of Karnataka's 1.2 lakh buses lack sufficient fire safety gear. Operators have been given a 90-day grace period for compliance, with state transport authorities launching a statewide inspection drive starting Monday. Private bus unions, while supportive, have raised concerns over costs—estimated at ₹50,000-₹1 lakh per vehicle—urging subsidies to ease the burden on small fleets.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar echoed the sentiment, calling for a high-level joint probe with Andhra Pradesh to uncover systemic failures, including the bus's fitness certification and the driver's response. "Our hearts go out to the families, many from Karnataka. We've dispatched teams to Kurnool for relief and DNA sampling to identify remains," he added. The tragedy has also prompted neighboring Telangana to crack down on private buses, with raids uncovering violations in safety equipment.
Experts hail the move as proactive, but warn it's only a start. Road safety activist Ravi Kumar of the Safe India Foundation noted, "Fire safety in buses has been a blind spot. Training drivers on evacuation protocols and regular mock drills are equally crucial." The Union Ministry of Road Transport has promised nationwide guidelines by next month, inspired by this and similar mishaps like the Jaisalmer bus accident.
As investigations continue—with police registering cases against the bus drivers for negligence and probing the collision dynamics—Karnataka's bold step signals a zero-tolerance era for road complacency. For the victims' families, however, it's a bittersweet consolation amid profound loss.
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