Driver wasn’t alert, distracted in bus accident that killed 30: Probe report

The report is based on the analysis following the inspection by joint transport commissioner and some Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials.

The report of Maharashtra Transport Commissioner, on Ambenali Ghat bus mishap, which claimed 30 lives on July 28, stated that distraction or lack of alertness on the part of the driver could have led to the accident.

The mangled remains of the mini bus that fell into a 800ft gorge off Ambenali ghat in Maharashtra.(HT FILE)

The report is based on the analysis following the inspection by joint transport commissioner and some Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials.

“The accident happened as the vehicle veered on side of the road and plunged into the gorge due to the driver’s lack of alertness,” states the report accessed by Hindustan Times. It has recommended immediate measures like installation of crash barriers on the entire length of the ghat (mountain pass) on the gorge side, filling out potholes and painting of a dotted line of road median. It also recommends safety audit of Pasarani Ghat that is on the way to Mahabaleshwar from Satara.

The report was tabled in the seventh meeting of the State Road Safety Council chaired by Diwakar Raote, transport minister of Maharashtra, on Monday. In the meeting, the minister announced a committee of experts for a safety audit of all the ghat roads. “The committee will submit its report within six months and recommend steps for preventing such accidents,” said Raote. The report also ruled out the possibility of any mechanical snag in the bus .

“Even the possibility of over speeding is ruled out as the bus was fitted with speed governor that had a limit of 60 kmph,” states the report. However, the report states that it will be only clear after the police report whether the driver was drunk or not. The report, however, pointed out that the crash barriers that help in preventing accidents were missing at the spot. “The traffic sign boards are there but are rusted and hence new retroreflector boards or reflective stripes are necessary on immediate basis,” reads the report.

The report also pointed out that the road had white colour reflective side stripes or lines, but dotted line indicating road median was missing. The traffic boards were rusted and road had potholes, which were forcing drivers to avoid them.

“The traffic sign boards are there but are rusted and hence new retroreflector boards necessary and cat eye or reflective stripes necessary immediate basis,” reads the report.