Safety Sweep in East Godavari: Five Inter-State Private Buses Seized

The Transport Department has launched a stringent crackdown on private bus operators running inter-state services in violation of safety norms, endangering passengers . Acting on the instructions of Deputy Transport Commissioner (RTC) R. Suresh, teams of Motor Vehicle Inspectors and Assistant Motor Vehicle Inspectors carried out inspections across East Godavari district over two days.

As part of the drive, officials seized five inter-state sleeper coach buses that were found to have serious safety violations . The inspections targeted All India Tourist Permit buses operating to key cities such as Hyderabad and Bengaluru, with a detailed review of vehicle fitness and adherence to safety standards.

Authorities discovered that some operators had installed unauthorized additional diesel tanks to increase operational efficiency, a move flagged as a major safety risk. Officials warned that such alterations could lead to severe consequences, particularly in the event of a fire accident.

Inspectors also found instances where luggage was improperly placed near emergency exits, obstructing evacuation routes. They cautioned that such negligence could prove life-threatening during emergencies. Additional violations included the absence of rear emergency doors and malfunctioning escape hatches in certain buses.

The seized vehicles were moved to the Regional Transport Office in Rajamahendravaram for further action. Officials imposed penalties on the erring operators, stating that a total of ₹2.1 lakh would be recovered as fines and dues.

Reiterating a zero-tolerance stance on passenger safety, R. Suresh warned that strict enforcement and surprise crackdown measures will continue against operators who fail to comply with regulations.