Minister Ponnam Prabhakar inspects the site after a dump truck carrying gravel collided head-on with a public transport bus in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district on Monday. | Photo Credit: Pic:Style Photo Service PD1000287
After taking stock of the Chevella road accident, Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar on Monday convened a virtual review meeting with Special Chief Secretary, Transport Department Vikas Raj and officials of the Transport Department and directed them to embark on a district-level action plan to reduce the rise in road accidents in Telangana.
Mr Prabhakar noted an increase in road accidents, including the one on Monday in which 19 people died. He claimed that both the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation bus and the truck that hit it were in proper mechanical condition. The absence of a road divider and driving at high speed were associated with the severity of the traffic accident.
The minister has tasked officials to check the implementation of speed limits in vehicles. He said if these devices are found to have been tampered with, a threefold fine must be imposed. He emphasized that the enforcement teams must be active across the districts and operate throughout the year and not be reactive during times of serious road accidents.
He ordered Department of Transportation officials to monitor commercial vehicles, sleeper buses, tippers and trucks that violate eligibility requirements or are operated without a permit. He pointed out that school buses, rental buses and heavy goods vehicles are subject to fitness checks. Dump trucks carrying sand and construction material must be covered with a tarpaulin, he added.
Published – 03 Nov 2025 20:25 IST
