BHUBANESWAR: In yet another incident adding to the growing list of accidents caused by Ama Buses, an auto-rickshaw driver was killed and two passengers were injured when a bus hit them from behind at Rupali Square here on Saturday.
Police said the accident took place at the red light stop when the speeding Ama Bus rammed into the auto-rickshaw, which crashed into a school bus in front of it. The auto driver Vishnu Patro (62) of Binjharpur was trapped inside the mangled three-wheeler and died on the spot.
Police rescued the injured passengers identified as Namita Pradhan (21) and Ramani Nayak and rushed them to a hospital. While Pradhan sustained a fracture in her hand and head injury, Nayak suffered minor injuries and was discharged after receiving first-aid.
“The electric Ama Bus was en route to Baramunda. The bus driver Suchitra Kumar Sahoo was arrested soon after the accident. A case has been registered and further probe is underway,” said Zone V ACP Biswaranjan Senapati.
The incident triggered protests and the locals vandalised the bus involved in the fatal crash.
The protesters also vandalised two other Ama Buses at the area.
Bhubaneswar DCP Jagmohan Meena rushed to the accident site to take stock of the situation and pacify the irate locals. The damaged buses were removed from the road and vehicular movement was restored after 30 minutes, said the police.
A statement issued by CRUT said, “As per the standard operating procedure (SOP), the bus operator JBM Eco Life Private Limited will pay Rs 2 lakh to the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured passenger. Officials are also in touch with government departments concerned to facilitate compensation to the of kin of the deceased.”
Later in the evening, a motorist was hit by another Ama Bus near the same area. However, he escaped unhurt. Saheed Nagar police have registered a case in this connection too.
Frequent accidents caused by Ama Buses have raised concerns over road safety. Sources said over 25 road accidents involving Ama Buses have taken place in the Twin City of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack since June 2024.