Madhya Pradesh: MSRTC bus that fell in Narmada river over 10 years old, fitness certificate expiry was due this month

Mumbai: The passenger bus belonging to Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) that met with an accident in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh on Monday morning leaving at least 12 dead was more than 10 years old. According to the RTO officials, the fitness certificate of the bus was about to expire in about 10 days.

The bus which was enroute Jalgaon district in Maharashtra from Indore city in Madhya Pradesh on the morning of 18 July, broke the railing of a bridge on the National Highway No.3 (Agra-Mumbai road), situated close to Dhar and Khargone borders, and then fell into the Narmada river.

According to a report by news agency PTI mentioned a senior RTO official saying that the bus was registered with the Nagpur rural Regional Transport Office on 12 June, 2012 and its certificate, which implies that the vehicle is roadworthy, was about to expire on 27 July, 2022.

Its Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate and insurance were valid, the official added.

The MSRTC bus which fell into the Narmada river in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh was being driven by Chandrakant Eknath Patil and Prakash Shravan Chaudhary was the conductor.

The bus departed from Indore around 7.30 am and was on its way to Amalner in Maharashtra’s Jalgaon district when it met with the accident.

The MSRTC has also set up a helpline for citizens and they can dial 022-23023940 to get information about the accident.

PM Modi announces ex-gratia

An ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of those who lost their lives in the bus tragedy. The injured would be given Rs 50,000, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.

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“The bus tragedy in Dhar, Madhya Pradesh is saddening. My thoughts are with those who have lost their loved ones. Rescue work is underway and local authorities are providing all possible assistance to those affected,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi said.

Madhya Pradesh bus accident

There were around 30 to 32 passengers believed to be on board the bus that fell into the Narmada river, PTI quoted an official as saying.

Also Read:  Madhya Pradesh accident: 12 dead, 15 rescued after Maharashtra roadways bus to Pune falls into Narmada river in Dhar

On Monday morning, Madhya Pradesh home minister Narottam Mishra said that 15 people were rescued. The operation to rescue others was underway till the last report came in.

Madhya Pradesh Home Department’s Additional Chief Secretary Dr Rajesh Rajora said that the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has rushed to the spot. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) with the help of local fishermen rescued people and retrieved the bodies.

With inputs from PTI

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