Former IPS and Transport Commissioner Slams Bus Makers Over Poor Safety Standards After Kurnool Fire, Urges Passengers to Check Emergency Exits Before Boarding
Following the tragic bus fire near Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh that claimed at least 20 lives, former Bengaluru Police Commissioner and Transport Commissioner of Karnataka, Bhaskar Rao, has urged authorities and manufacturers to strengthen bus safety standards across India. Expressing his condolences to the victims’ families, he said the accident once again highlights long-standing gaps in passenger safety and emergency preparedness.
Referring to his earlier experience as the Transport Commissioner of Karnataka, he wrote on ‘X’ that during his tenure, he had raised concerns with leading bus makers such as Volvo and Scania over the absence of proper emergency exits for passengers. He said that many luxury buses still operate without adequate safety features, often passing fitness tests despite falling short on critical requirements.
He pointed out that the use of highly inflammable materials such as seat covers, curtains, and carpets increases fire risks in case of an accident. “Most buses keep a single fire extinguisher near the driver, which is hard to access during an emergency. The first aid kits are rarely functional, and crew members are not trained in basic rescue or first aid,” he added.
Check Location of Exit Door and Fire Extinguisher Before Boarding
He also advised passengers to be more aware of safety features while boarding private luxury buses. “Before you travel, check where the emergency exit and the fire extinguisher are located. Awareness can save lives,” he said, calling for collaborative efforts from state authorities, manufacturers, and transport officers to ensure safer travel for everyone.
Related | At Least 20 Dead as Hyderabad-Bengaluru Bus Catches Fire in Kurnool; CM Naidu Expresses Condolences
The former officer also recalled investigating two major accidents involving Volvo buses – one near Kolar in 2010 and another near Haveri in 2014 – where lack of emergency exits made rescue difficult. He said that if such safety lapses are found, accountability must extend to officials who approved vehicle certifications without ensuring compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act.
Deepest condolences for innocent lives lost. As Former Transport Commissioner of Karnataka, I had become unpopular with Volvo and Scania because they had no Emergency Doors for passengers to escape.
— Bhaskar Rao (@Nimmabhaskar22) October 24, 2025
Our most corrupt Transport Officers allow it to pass fitness test with poor… pic.twitter.com/K8wCAcJyQF
He appreciated Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) for maintaining standard emergency doors in its fleet but noted that private buses often do not follow the same safety norms. He suggested that state governments, especially Andhra Pradesh, conduct a detailed safety audit of all passenger buses and take corrective action where needed.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a tweet (as embedded above) shared by the former IPS officer and Transport Commissioner, Bhaskar Rao. PuneNow is not responsible if the original tweet is modified, deleted, or removed by the source.
