Mysuru: More than 30 passengers travelling in a KSRTC bus sustained injuries after the vehicle toppled at Talebetta in MM Hills in Hanur taluk of Chamarajanagar district on Friday. The injured were mostly pilgrims returning to their hometowns after offering darshan at the revered Male Mahadeshwara Temple.
According to police, the bus was en route to Mysuru when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle on the hilly stretch, leading to the accident. The incident caused panic among passengers, many of whom were seated on both sides of the bus when it overturned.
Injured shifted to multiple hospitals
Passengers, including bus conductor Padmavathi, sustained injuries in the mishap. Emergency response teams, along with local residents and volunteers, rushed to the spot and assisted in rescue operations.
The injured were immediately shifted to nearby government medical facilities for treatment. These included the Kowdalli Primary Health Centre, Hanur Health Centre, and the Kollegal sub-division hospital. Some of the more seriously injured passengers were referred to Krishna Rajendra Hospital in Mysuru for advanced care.
Local administration responds
Upon receiving information about the accident, Hanur MLA M R Manjunath coordinated relief efforts and arranged for ambulance services to transport the injured. He also held discussions with district health officer Dr Chidambaram to ensure prompt medical attention.
Officials including Hanur taluk tahasildar Chaitra Hanur and taluk health officer Dr Prakash visited the Hanur Health Centre to assess the condition of the injured and oversee treatment arrangements.
Rescue efforts aided by locals
Local residents, members of Kannada organisations, and police personnel played a crucial role in the rescue and evacuation process. Their timely assistance helped in shifting the injured passengers quickly to hospitals, minimising delays in treatment.
Despite these efforts, some locals expressed dissatisfaction over what they described as a delay in arranging sufficient ambulance facilities in the immediate aftermath of the accident.
Concerns over road safety in MM Hills
The incident has once again brought attention to safety concerns on the ghat roads leading to the Male Mahadeshwara temple. Residents of the area alleged that government buses often travel at high speeds on the narrow and winding hill roads, increasing the risk of accidents.
They have demanded strict action against negligent and rash driving, particularly on the stretch from Talebetta to the temple, which is frequented by pilgrims throughout the year.
Case registered, probe under way
The MM Hills police have registered a case in connection with the accident and have begun an investigation to determine the exact cause. Authorities are expected to examine factors such as vehicle condition, driver conduct, and road safety measures.
Conclusion
The bus accident in MM Hills, which left over 30 people injured, highlights the urgent need for enhanced safety measures on hilly routes, especially those with heavy pilgrim traffic. While prompt rescue efforts ensured timely medical care, concerns over road safety and emergency response remain key issues that authorities will need to address to prevent similar incidents in the future.