Taking disciplinary action in the bus accident in Bhimtal (Nainital), Additional Secretary Transport/Managing Director of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation Narendra Kumar Joshi has suspended Divisional Manager (Operations) of Nainital-Kathgodam, Pooja Joshi. Despite receiving information about the accident, neither did the Divisional Manager go to the accident site nor did she pick up the phone of the higher officials. Pooja Joshi has also been given a charge sheet for acting against the Officer Service Rules and not discharging the responsibilities properly and she has been attached to the Transport Corporation Headquarters Dehradun.
Bus fell into a ditch in Bhimtal, five died
Haldwani depot bus (UK07-PA-2822) of Uttarakhand Transport Corporation fell into a ditch in Bhimtal while coming from Pithoragarh to Haldwani on Wednesday. In which four passengers died and 27 passengers including the driver and conductor were injured. Another passenger died on Thursday morning during treatment. Initially, the main reason for the accident is believed to be the bus being at high speed and the driver losing control while trying to save a car at a turn. At the same time, the Transport Corporation is also accused of running a bus that has crossed its age limit on mountain routes.
CM Dhami gave instructions for strict action against the culprits
Taking the incident seriously, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami had instructed the government to take strict action against the culprits. In this sequence, on Thursday, the Managing Director suspended the Divisional Manager of Nainital for negligence in the accident.
Demand for 500 new buses for the corporation
To control the accidents caused by old buses, the Roadways Employees Joint Council has given a letter to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami demanding the purchase of 500 state-of-the-art new buses for mountain routes. Council’s Deputy General Secretary Vipin Bijalwan said that with the operation of new buses, passengers will get the benefit of smooth travel and along with the development of hilly areas, better opportunities for tourism will also be available.
