THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Are KSRTC buses really killer vehicles? The high number of accident deaths involving its vehicles within the city limits is shocking enough to confer the tag on the KSRTC. In two years, as many as 38 people were killed in accidents involving KSRTC buses. From the cases registered against KSRTC buses in the City Traffic Police Station, City Express found that as many as 213 accidents occurred in the last two years. This year, till November, KSRTC buses have killed 16 persons in the city. As many as 42 persons were seriously injured in the accidents. Majority of victims were two-wheeler riders and pedestrians. This year, the highest number of accidents occurred in November. The month witnessed 15 accidents, of which three were fatal. In 2010, there were 109 accidents, in which 22 people were killed. In a city which depends mostly on the KSRTC for public transport, the numbers raise serious questions. P Mohanan, Traffic AC (North), said lack of skilled drivers is one of the reasons for the accidents. “Lack of permanent drivers is affecting the services of the KSRTC. Eighty per cent of the drivers belong to the empanelled list. They lack the required training to run the heavy vehicles. Poor condition of roads is another reason. KSRTC may not be the culprit in all the cases. Most accidents involve KSRTC and two-wheelers. Rash driving by two-wheeler riders is sometimes the reason behind the accidents,” he said. Asked about the condition of KSRTC buses, Mohanan said that there had been reports of the KSRTC buses failing in the test conducted by the Motor Vehicles Department. “Last time, when a bus rammed into the footpath in Thampanoor, the brake was in poor condition,” he said. Chairman and Managing Director of KSRTC K G Mohanlal said that, ‘‘training and awareness class are being given to KSRTC employees.’’ “Zone-based training is being imparted. The recent accident involving KSRTC buses at Mannanthala occurred mainly owing to lack of traffic awareness. So, we are planning to strengthen the training programme,” he said. He said KSRTC may not be the culprit in all the cases. “There is a tendency to register a case against the bigger vehicle. Even if the accident was caused by another vehicle, a case will be registered against the KSRTC bus,” he said. He refuted the allegation that KSRTC buses are in a bad condition.
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