Puttur (Karnataka), September 29: Sixteen passengers were injured when two Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses collided near Shiradi on National Highway 75, disrupting vehicular traffic for nearly three hours on Sunday evening.
Collision near Gundya
The accident took place near Gundya in Shiradi village when a KSRTC bus bound for Dharmasthala from Bengaluru collided with a Rajahamsa service travelling from Mangaluru to Bengaluru. The impact left both vehicles badly damaged and caused a traffic pile-up along the busy highway that connects the coastal region with the state capital.
Passengers injured
According to police, nine passengers travelling in the Dharmasthala-bound bus sustained serious injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment. Seven passengers in the Rajahamsa bus escaped with minor injuries.
Medical teams attended to the injured promptly, while arrangements were made to shift unaffected passengers to alternative transport.
Traffic disruption
Vehicular movement on the Bengaluru–Mangaluru highway was thrown out of gear following the collision, with hundreds of vehicles stranded on both sides. Traffic police and personnel from the Nellyadi outpost reached the spot quickly and worked to restore the flow of vehicles. The highway was cleared after nearly three hours.
Police investigation
Police officials said a case has been registered and investigations are underway to ascertain the cause of the accident. Preliminary reports suggest that poor visibility and rash driving could have contributed to the mishap.
Authorities have also sought detailed reports from the KSRTC regarding the condition of the buses and the duty schedules of the drivers involved.
Conclusion
The accident once again highlights the risks along the Shiradi Ghat stretch of NH-75, which has witnessed multiple accidents over the years. Authorities have appealed to drivers to exercise caution while navigating the highway, especially during evenings and in adverse weather conditions.