Three buses caught fire in the past one month.NMC inspection revealed the terrible condition of the public transport.
Nagpur: Commuters, think twice before boarding an Aapli Bus in Nagpur! Riding in the bus would mean inviting fiery trouble. In the past one month, three running Aapli Buses caught fire at different places, the latest being at Samvidhan Square on Thursday, May 5. 35 passengers had a lucky escape. The fire-fighters had to struggle hard to douse the leaping flames.
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Thursday 06 Feb. 2025
The Aapli Bus (MH-31/CA 6010) left Mor Bhavan Bus Stand for Khaparkheda at 9 am on Thursday. As the bus reached Samvidhan Square (RBI Square), the driver noticed smoke and sparks from the engine. The driver and conductor immediately asked the passengers, numbering 35, to disembark the bus. Soon the entire bus was engulfed in flames,
According to sources, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), in the wake of Aapli Buses catching fire in recent times, had conducted inspections of Aapli Buses running on Nagpur streets. The inspection revealed the terrible condition of the public transport. Damaged electric fittings, outdated fire extinguishers, leaks in fuel tanks besides poor upkeep were some of the major problems detected during inspection by the NMC’s Transport Department at four depots on Friday. Several buses were found without the mandatory fire-fighting equipment.
What was more shocking was that at least 32 buses were running without the mandatory fitness certificates from the Regional Transport Office (RTO), according to a report. It was further reported that the past 11 months saw around 2,200 breakdowns due to poor maintenance of the buses, while 32 red buses are plying without the mandatory fitness certificates from the regional transport office.
Subsequently, the NMC has asked the three operators of Aapli Bus fleet that they should inspect every bus before it leaves the depot. Had it been done, the loss of property could have been averted, the report said, adding the operators were given a week’s time to submit compliance reports. There can be no compromise with the safety of passengers, the NMC warned.
According to reports, the NMC’s Fire and Emergency Services Department also has suggested seven checkpoints to be followed in every bus. The Fire Department also suggested that fire extinguishers need to be mandatory and transportation of inflammable substances like petrol, diesel etc is to be prohibited.
