Mangaluru: In the wake of accidents in which commuters fell from moving buses, the public on Tuesday told Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to strictly implement automated doors for all the private and KSRTC buses for safety of passengers.
The matter came to the fore, during the special road safety meeting, which was chaired by Deputy Commissioner A.B Ibrahim.
The deputy commissioner, who is the chairman of Road Transport Authority (RTA), too admitted that it should be implemented in all buses. “The accident in Nanthur, which killed three persons recently, could have been averted if the buses had proper doors”, he said.
Meantime, the bus operators union said that it was not possible to install automated doors for the buses plying in the city. “As per the motor vehicle rules, doors are not mandatory for buses operating within the city limit”, he said and added that not all the BMTC buses in Bengaluru have such doors.
However, another from the public interrupted the union member for misleading the meeting. “All the BMTC buses have automated doors”, he said.
“There are six buses (number 27) plying towards Jeppu that have automated doors. Hence, every private bus should be taking a cue from them”, another member of the public said.
Meanwhile, the Regional Transport Officer Afzal Ahmed Khan who referred the book on Motor Vehicle Act told the deputy commissioner that the city buses have been exempted for installing automated doors. “However, the RTA has the right to make necessary changes, if it is appropriate to their geographical boundary”, he said.
In response to the RTO, the Deputy Commissioner said that in the next meeting of the road transport authority (RTA), a discussion will be held on the implementation of automated doors”.
Besides, the deputy commissioner instructed the RTO to ensure that their department conducts surprise checks to see if all the buses meet required parameters.
No footpath
During the meeting, the public also spoke on the missing footpath, after construction of roads.
MCC Commissioner Hephsiba Rani Korlapati admitted that it was a serious issue. “Wherever, there are footpaths and it is being encroached to park vehicles, will be acted upon. While, those stretches where there are no footpath, will be looked into, in fifteen days”, she responded.
Meanwhile, Dr. Edmond Fernandes, who made a presentation on his initiative towards zero accidents, asked the RTA to seriously implement seat belts and helmets for all the vehicle users, including adherence towards speed limit in the city.
