Kurnool Accident Follow Up: In a heart-wrenching incident early Friday morning in Andhra Pradesh’s Kurnool, a Kaveri Travels bus burst into flames, claiming at least 20 lives and leaving the nation in shock. The fire spread so rapidly that passengers had little to no chance of escaping the inferno. As investigations unfold, disturbing details have emerged, pointing to serious violations of transport regulations by the bus operator, Vemuri Kaveri Travels.
The bus, bearing registration number DD01 N9490, was owned by Vemuri Vinod Kumar. Originally purchased on May 2, 2018, in Daman and Diu, it was later transferred on April 29, 2025, to Rayagada RTO in Odisha under the name G Bijaya Lakshmi. Authorities now suspect the legitimacy of this transfer, raising red flags about the documentation.
Despite having valid fitness certificates (valid until March 31, 2027), insurance, and road tax, the investigation revealed a critical issue: the bus was originally registered as a seater coach but had been converted into a sleeper coach without proper technical approval or adherence to safety standards. This unauthorized modification went unnoticed by the Rayagada transport authorities, who claim they approved the vehicle based on “available records.”
Sources within the transport department suggest that such unauthorized modifications are common among private bus operators, sometimes with the alleged involvement of RTA officials. These changes, like adding extra berths or reducing the space between seats, compromise the vehicle’s balance and safety features, putting passengers at grave risk.
Ch. Dwaraka Tirumala Rao, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of APSRTC, emphasized that bus body construction is a scientific process that must account for weight distribution, emergency exits, and fire safety measures. “Private operators tamper with the original design to squeeze in more seats or berths, making vehicles unstable and unsafe. This is a clear case of prioritizing profits over passenger safety,” he said.
The tragedy on NH-44 has reignited concerns about road safety and unregulated bus modifications. Experts warn that such unauthorized alterations not only endanger lives but also expose systemic failures in regulatory oversight. As the nation mourns the loss of lives, this incident serves as a grim reminder of the urgent need for stricter enforcement of transport safety norms to prevent such tragedies in the future.
