Udupi: A video showing students travelling while hanging onto the rear ladder of a private bus on the Harikhandige–Perdoor route has gone viral on social media, raising serious concerns over passenger safety and overcrowding in public transport.
The footage has triggered calls for immediate intervention by the authorities to prevent such risky travel practices and ensure the safety of school and college students.
Viral video highlights overcrowding
The viral video is said to have been recorded on a private bus operating between Harikhandige and Perdoor in Udupi district.
The footage shows several students clinging to the ladder at the rear of the moving bus, reportedly because the vehicle was overcrowded and there was no space available inside.
The dangerous manner of travel has alarmed residents and social media users, many of whom questioned how such overcrowding was allowed to continue.
Safety concerns raised
The incident has reignited concerns over the safety of students who depend on private buses for their daily commute in rural parts of the district.
Travelling while hanging from the rear of a moving vehicle exposes passengers to a high risk of falling or sustaining serious injuries, particularly on narrow roads or during sudden braking and sharp turns.
Residents have stressed the need for transport operators to ensure that buses do not carry passengers beyond their safe capacity.
Public urges action
Following the circulation of the video, members of the public have urged the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and the Transport Department to investigate the incident and take appropriate action against any violations of passenger safety norms.
They have also called for increased monitoring of private buses during peak school and college hours to prevent overcrowding and discourage unsafe travel practices.
Several residents have suggested deploying additional buses on routes that witness heavy student traffic, especially during morning and evening hours, to reduce congestion and improve commuter safety.
Need for preventive measures
The incident has once again highlighted the challenges faced by students in accessing safe and adequate public transport in certain parts of the district.
Citizens have appealed to transport authorities, educational institutions and private bus operators to work together to address overcrowding and ensure that students can travel safely without being forced into hazardous situations.
Authorities are expected to examine the viral video and verify the circumstances surrounding the incident before deciding on further action.