In a heart-wrenching accident, 36 lives were lost after a bus plunged into a 200-meter-deep gorge in Uttarakhand’s Almora district. The 45-seater passenger bus, travelling from Pauri to Ramnagar, veered off course near Marchula early this morning. The crash site, located roughly 35 kilometres from its destination, quickly became a scene of devastation and urgent rescue efforts.
Swift Rescue and Community Response
Residents from nearby villages were the first on the scene, pulling survivors from the wreckage before the police and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) arrived. The SDRF quickly mobilized, with officials from Almora and Ramnagar working tirelessly to help the victims. As of now, several survivors are being treated in nearby hospitals, with three critically injured passengers airlifted to AIIMS for further care.
Government Response and Inquiry
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has ordered a thorough investigation into the cause of the tragedy and has suspended regional RTO officials, emphasizing the need for accountability. The Chief Minister also announced compensation of ₹4 lakh for each family that lost a loved one and ₹1 lakh for the injured. He called for a swift and thorough rescue operation, stating that “the administration and SDRF teams are evacuating and treating the injured without delay.”
Safety Concerns and Rising Incidents
The incident is the latest in a series of bus accidents in India, raising questions about vehicle safety standards and road conditions in hilly regions like Uttarakhand. The bus, operated by the Garhwal Motor Owners’ Union, reportedly lost control, but the exact circumstances remain unclear.
Key Questions
- What caused the bus to go off course? Authorities have launched a probe to determine if mechanical failure, driver fatigue, or road conditions were factors in the accident.
- Are existing safety regulations adequate? In light of rising accidents in Uttarakhand, could more robust safety checks and training for drivers reduce future tragedies?
- Could infrastructure improvements help prevent similar incidents? Given the challenging terrains of hilly areas, are there steps the government can take to enhance road safety in high-risk zones?
This tragic event underscores the urgent need for heightened safety measures and accountability to prevent similar occurrences in Uttarakhand and beyond.
