Mangaluru: A dispute between the crews of two private express buses over picking up passengers reportedly escalated into reckless driving near the Haleyangadi bus stand on National Highway 66, creating a dangerous situation for commuters and other road users.
The two buses were reportedly travelling from Udupi towards Mangaluru when an argument broke out between their drivers and conductors over passengers along the route. The rivalry soon turned into a dangerous competition, with both buses allegedly being driven recklessly on the busy highway in an attempt to get ahead of each other.
The incident caused panic among passengers and motorists in the area and has once again raised concerns over the safety of private bus operations on the coastal highway.
Dispute over passengers turns dangerous
According to sources, the confrontation began when the crew members of the two express buses argued over picking up passengers. Competition among private buses operating on the same route is not uncommon, particularly when crews attempt to maintain their position or secure passengers at busy stops.
However, the situation near Haleyangadi reportedly went beyond a routine argument. Following the verbal altercation, the two buses allegedly engaged in a dangerous race on NH 66.
The buses were reportedly driven in a manner that created fear among passengers travelling in them as well as motorists using the highway. Such manoeuvres on a busy national highway can pose a serious risk, particularly when buses are carrying a large number of passengers.
The incident also highlights the potential consequences of competition between private bus operators when passenger safety takes a back seat.
Locals raise concerns over repeated incidents
Residents in the Haleyangadi area have expressed concern that clashes between crews of private express buses are not an isolated occurrence.
According to locals, disputes over route timings and passenger collection have reportedly become a frequent issue near the Haleyangadi bus stand. The competition between buses operating on similar routes can sometimes lead to arguments between drivers and conductors.
Residents also claimed that minor physical confrontations between crew members have been reported in the past.
The recurring nature of such incidents has heightened concerns among people who regularly depend on private buses for travel between Udupi, Mangaluru and other towns along NH 66.
While competition between private operators is part of the transport sector, locals have stressed that it should not result in unsafe driving or confrontations on public roads.
Reckless driving puts passengers at risk
The latest incident has particularly alarmed residents because the alleged competition took place on a national highway.
NH 66 carries heavy traffic throughout the day, including passenger vehicles, goods carriers and two-wheelers. Reckless manoeuvring by buses on such a road could have consequences far beyond the vehicles directly involved.
Sudden overtaking, speeding or attempts to block another bus can force other road users to brake or change lanes unexpectedly. For passengers inside buses, such driving can also result in injuries if the vehicle is forced to stop suddenly or swerves to avoid another vehicle.
Residents therefore believe that strict action is necessary to discourage bus crews from engaging in such behaviour.
Residents seek action from authorities
Local residents have urged the transport and police departments to take immediate action against drivers and conductors involved in dangerous competition on the highway.
They have called for stern warnings to be issued to private bus operators and for traffic rules to be enforced strictly. Residents believe that repeated violations should attract appropriate action so that bus crews understand that passenger safety cannot be compromised for the sake of securing additional passengers.
They have also urged officials to monitor the movement of private express buses around the Haleyangadi bus stand, particularly during peak hours when passenger traffic is high.
Regular enforcement and surveillance, they said, could help prevent disputes from escalating into dangerous driving incidents.
Need for stricter enforcement
The incident has renewed the demand for better regulation of private bus operations along the coastal highway.
Private buses play an important role in connecting towns and villages across the coastal districts, and thousands of commuters depend on them every day. However, the responsibility of transporting passengers safely must remain the foremost priority for operators and their crews.
Transport authorities could consider stepped-up inspections, monitoring of repeated traffic violations and strict action against drivers found engaging in dangerous driving. Operators may also need to ensure that drivers and conductors are clearly instructed to avoid confrontations over passengers and timings.
For commuters, the expectation is simple: competition between buses should never turn into a threat to public safety.
The alleged incident near Haleyangadi serves as a warning that unchecked rivalry among private bus crews can have serious consequences. Residents are now looking to the police and transport authorities to intervene before a similar incident results in a major accident or loss of life.