VIJAYAWADA: Following a series of APSRTC bus accidents, Transport Minister K Atchannaidu instructed the RTC management to conduct training sessions for drivers to achieve zero accident rate in the coming months. The Minister conducted a review meeting with the RTC officials here on Monday to discuss the future course of action in bringing down the accident rate in RTC buses.
He expressed concern over the recent bus accidents that took place in Vijayawada, Anakapalli and Avanigadda. He directed the transport officials to conduct fitness checks for the RTC buses annually on the lines of private buses. Atchannaidu also instructed the RTC management to train drivers on the measures to be followed to check road accidents.
The RTC officials informed the Minister that the corporation has 5 per cent buses (above 10 years) and 10 per cent buses which have travelled more than 12 lakh kilometres. In response to their reply, Atchannaidu asked the officials to purchase new buses to provide hassle-free journey to the passengers and conduct health check up for drivers at regular intervals. The Minister also informed that the State government has given its nod to APSRTC to purchase 1,000 new buses this year. Soon all the old buses will be replaced with new buses, he added.
Check overspeeding on busy roads: Villagers
Guntur: The villagers of Yerrabalem in Guntur district staged a protest and blocked a busy road on Monday, alleging that the drivers of sand-laden lorries are resorting to road racing, causing accidents in the capital city Amaravati. A youth tried to commit suicide by dousing himself with kerosene during the protest, but the villagers stopped him. The villagers called off their protest only after Mangalagiri DSP G Ramajaneyulu assured them of taking action against errant drivers. Earlier, on Monday, a sand-laden lorry brushed past
D Bujji Babu and his daughter Pravallika, who were going on a bicycle. Bujji Babu was injured in the accident and he was rushed to a nearby hospital by the locals. The lorry driver fled the spot. The irate villagers stopped the vehicles at Ramalayam Street at Yerrabalem village and alleged that the drivers were driving sand-laden lorries at top speed on the roads of Yerrabalem. Several accidents in the recent past are a proof of that, they added. The villagers said no action has not been taken against errant drivers, even though several appeals have been made to the higher officials.