Two buses bearing registration numbers WB-19D/3230 and WB-19D/3237 run by the state surface transport corporation— started speeding after crossing the Salt Lake stadium. The passengers complained that the drivers had ignored their repeated pleas to slow down and raced each other on EM Bypass on Wednesday morning. Near the Manovikas Kendra bus stop, the WB-19D/3230 bus rammed into the rear of the other vehicle while swerving in its bid to race ahead, injuring 25 passengers.
“The mishap resulted from rash driving. Both buses have been impounded and the drivers have been arrested,” said an officer of Kasba police station. “The buses were going at more than 70 km per hour, though the speed limit on the Bypass is 60.
Debarati Saha, a management student of Heritage Institute, was on the WB-19D/3230 bus. She suffered injuries to her lips and tongue as her face slammed into the handle of the seat in front.
She told Metro from her hospital bed: “Our driver started speeding after spying the other bus through his rear-view mirror. He asked the conductor what the time was. On being told that it was 10 minutes to nine, he really stepped on the accelerator.”
“The two buses overtook each other a number of times, ignoring our pleas to slow down. When will the authorities put an end to this death race?” asked one of the injured passengers.
Riya Roy Chowdhuri, also of the Heritage Institute, was standing near the driver’s seat on the same bus as Debarati.
“We had been urging the driver to slow down but he turned a deaf ear to us. I fell down under the impact of the collision and others trampled on me,” said the computer science student nursing injuries on her right leg.
“The condition of both girls is stable. They are under observation,” said an official of Ruby General Hospital.
It has been some time since I reported any accidents in Kolkata.
In summer it becomes so hot that the drivers become lethargic.
In the monsoons the streets become water logged and so they cannot speed.
Now, with the winter on us, a new zip has come in the air.
The weather is pleasant and so the drivers start pushing the pedal.
The by-pass with its broad road has become the new seat of accidents.
Fortunately, in the first accident, there were no deaths.
But how long can we avoid deaths.
Then our CM will state very seriously that something should be done.
But why not take action before the accident occurs.
Most commuters have cellphones.
Why doesn't Lal Bazar, Police Headquarters, have some dedicated telephone nos to which commuters could call up and inform if any bus/minibus is speeding dangerously. They could then call up a sergeant who is nearest and inform him to take necessary action to arrest the driver and conductors. They should also have spare drivers who could them drive the passenger to their destination
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