Over the last three years, MSRTC buses have been involved in a staggering 10,000 accidents. More shocking is the fact that these accidents have claimed the lives of as many as 1,500 persons. The victims were either MSRSTC passengers or occupants of other vehicles with which the government vehicles collided.

An MSRTC spokesperson said in 2011, its buses were involved in 3,400 accidents. In 2010, the figure was between 3,200 and 3,400. The figures on fatalities are equally unnerving. In 2011, 550 persons were killed, in 2010, 460 were killed and in 2009, 550 persons were killed. The accidents have also cost MSRTC dear. Every year, it gives around Rs 33 crore compensation to passengers. “In the last three years, we have paid nearly Rs 100 crore,” said officials.

However, MSRTC claimed that the number of passengers who are killed is much less. “For instance, in 2011, of the 550 persons killed, only 80 were our passengers,” officials said.

MP Gajanan Babar said, “But all these mishaps are either because MSRTC buses are speeding or being driven rashly. Wednesday’s incident is a pointer to the rot that exists in the government transport undertaking. The drivers do not seem to be trained properly. Even the status of their health is not kept up to date,” said Babar.

MSRTC regional manager R C Patil said drivers’ thorough health check-ups are done when they are recruited and after they turn 40.

Demanding a through investigation into MSRTC functioning, Babar said, “The statement made by the bus driver to the police that he had done sacred deeds in life and was committing a sin now was significant. Was he forced to commit the sin? This needs to be probed,” he said.

Stating that MSRTC was “alive” to the problem of accidents, Patil said, “Steps at all levels have been taken to reduce the number of mishaps. This issue is very close to MSRTC top officials.”