Chitradurga fire tragedy: On a long-haul bus ride? Some advice

The December 25 fire tragedy in Chitradurga involving a luxury sleeper bus has brought the safety of long-distance bus travel back into focus. The tragedy killed at least six people. The bus was heading from Bengaluru to Gokarna. Experts outline warning signs passengers should watch out for and the steps they can take.

Omkareshwari M P, additional commissioner of transport (Enforcement South), says items such as alcohol, perfumes, highly inflammable toiletries, electronic devices, and batteries are not allowed to be carried in bulk. Subhash Kumar, director of 3S Life Safe Akademie, a fire and safety training institute, advises passengers to carry minimal hand baggage inside the bus. “Large bags placed in aisles or near seats can obstruct movement during emergencies,” he says. Once on board, passengers should check whether emergency exits, glass-breaking hammers and fire extinguishers are in place, and alert bus staff if exits or passageways are blocked. While booking, Kumar suggests opting for lower berths and seats closer to exits for quicker evacuation.

Most long-distance buses are either internal combustion engine (ICE) or electric vehicles (EVs), says Sridhar R, professor of automotive mechatronics at R V College of Engineering.

“ICE buses often show early warning signs such as smoke or unusual smells, while fires in EVs can escalate rapidly with few or no visible warnings,” he explains. Passengers must immediately alert the driver if they notice smoke, burning smells or unusual sounds. If they see a fellow passenger smoking, they should bring it to the attention of the bus staff. In case of a small, manageable fire, he suggests using blankets provided in sleeper buses. “Pour water on them and use them to douse the flames,” Kumar adds.

Inform the RTO

If passengers notice suspicious or dangerous items being loaded into long-distance buses, they should report them to the transport department. Complaints, along with photographs, the vehicle registration number, and bus operator details, can be sent on WhatsApp to 94498 63459. The department’s control room number is 94498 63429
(10 am to 6 pm).

New SOPs soon

Following recent fire accidents, including the Kurnool bus fire on October 24, the transport department has intensified checks at major boarding points such as Majestic, Kalasipalya and Anand Rao Circle. “A new standard operating procedure focusing on safety measures will be issued shortly,” adds Omkareshwari.

The department is also planning an audio announcement inside buses, similar to airline safety briefings, to familiarise travellers with emergency exits and safety equipment.