CHANDIGARH: Following the death of 10 people in a road accident in Bathinda, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh today ordered issuance of strict guidelines for bus drivers in view of widespread smog in the state.
Expressing concern over the spate of accidents due to dense smog in the state over the past few days, he directed Punjab Roadways and Pepsu Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) to issue detailed guidelines to the drivers to be extra vigilant and cautious while driving buses in the prevailing conditions.
Singh also issued strict instructions to the traffic police department to maintain round-the-clock surveillance on both national and state highways and ensure safety of commuters.
He directed the police chief to convene a special meeting with the traffic wing to take all possible preventive measures to avert accidents.
The Chief Minister appealed to the people to drive carefully in such tough weather conditions for the sake of their own safety, and that of others.
Singh directed state finance minister Manpreet Badal to ensure the best possible treatment, free of charge, to those injured in the accident in Bathinda.
Nine people, including eight students, waiting by the side of a road to catch a bus after their vehicle met with an accident, were mowed down by a speeding truck near on Bathinda-Chandigarh road today.
Also, a teacher, Mandeep Kaur, who was travelling with the students, was killed in the collision between a bus and a minibus. Fourteen others were injured in the accident which occurred due to low visibility.