In a distressing turn of events, 49 tourists hailing from Andhra Pradesh found themselves stranded outside the RTO office in Gadag, Karnataka. Their ordeal began when the private bus they were traveling in, en route from Hyderabad to Karnataka, was seized by officials due to discrepancies in its documentation.
According to Gadag RTO officer Lakshmikant, the bus lacked proper documents, with suspicions arising over the authenticity of its chassis and engine numbers. Concerns were raised regarding the potential risks of operating multiple buses under the same identification, posing challenges in identifying the vehicle in case of accidents.
The stranded passengers, including women and children, were left to fend for themselves overnight as the RTO office, situated atop a hillock at Mallasamudra, was far removed from the city. Despite their attempts to communicate their predicament to the guards, language barriers added to their ordeal.
Originating from Pulivendula town in Kadapa district, the tourists had embarked on a 10-day excursion spanning three states, having hired the bus through travel agent Lakshmi Narayan for Rs 1.7 lakh. Bearing the registration number AP 03 TE8520, the bus was en route from Raichur to Gadag when it was impounded late Tuesday night.
With no immediate recourse available, the tourists grappled with the absence of nearby accommodations or facilities until Wednesday morning. Their ordeal finally concluded when they secured another bus after 3 pm, continuing their journey, albeit with delayed spirits, towards their next destination in Goa.
