Bilaspur: A major tragedy was narrowly averted in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district on Thursday morning when two buses collided on the Bhaged-Panaul road. The impact sent an HRTC bus dangerously close to a 200-metre-deep gorge, with part of the vehicle left hanging over the edge.
Around 40 passengers were travelling in the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus at the time of the accident. Fortunately, a small concrete parapet along the roadside stopped the bus from plunging into the gorge and potentially prevented a major loss of life.
The accident took place near the Hanuman Temple on the Bhaged-Panaul road. According to reports, the HRTC bus was travelling from Jablu towards Ghumarwin when it collided head-on with a private bus coming from the opposite direction.
The private bus, operated by Megh Travels, was reportedly running on the Geharwin-Ghumarwin route. The collision occurred at a bend near the temple, leaving passengers inside the HRTC bus terrified as the vehicle came dangerously close to the edge of the road.
In the aftermath of the crash, panic spread among the passengers. The HRTC bus was left partially suspended over the gorge, but the roadside parapet prevented it from going further. Locals and eyewitnesses at the scene said the outcome could have been far more serious had the barrier not been there.
The HRTC bus was carrying a mix of passengers, including schoolchildren, college students and daily commuters. While some passengers reportedly suffered minor injuries, no serious injuries were reported. Those injured were given first aid.
The incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by passengers travelling on narrow and winding hill roads. Road accidents in Himachal Pradesh often become particularly dangerous because of steep slopes and deep gorges alongside roads.
The Bilaspur accident comes just days after a fatal bus crash in Chamba district’s Tissa area on August 9. Eight people were killed in that accident. In Bilaspur, however, a small roadside parapet proved crucial in preventing what could have been another major tragedy involving dozens of passengers.
