Bhubaneswar, Sept 13: Following the Athamallick bus tragedy in which 19 persons were killed, the Odisha government on Monday took the decision to install speed governors in all passenger buses in Odisha.
In a meeting of the bus owners and Transport Commissioner Chandra Sekhar Kumar, the decision to this effect was taken to fit their buses with the speed governors by October 31 this year. He said that this will reduce rash and reckless driving by the bus drivers. A special squad will be formed to keep a strict check on the drivers for drunk driving and use of mobile phone while driving.
Incase if a passenger wants to file a complaint against the bus drivers, transport authority has set up a Toll Free Helpline number for the passengers for lodging their complaints, said Kumar.
The drivers would not be allowed and will be banned to use mobile phones while driving. Instead, the phones of the drivers will be kept with the bus conductors.
Meanwhile, Birendra Behera, the bus driver responsible for the Athamallick bus accident has refuted the findings of the probe report by four-member panel which stated that the accident was caused due to the carelessness of the driver as he was talking on his mobile phone. According to Behera who was arrested by the police on Sunday, the accident was caused due to technical glitch in the steering wheel of the bus.
On the other hand, the bus association has launched an awareness programme for the rivers so that they understand and follow the guidelines while driving.
