Karnataka Bus Accidents: 60% Involve State-Run Buses, 5,777 Cases in 3 Years

Karnataka recorded 5,777 cases of buses being driven rashly and causing accidents between 2023 and 2025, according to transport department data.

This translates to an average of nearly 160 bus-related accidents every month.

More than 60% of these accidents involved state-run buses operated by government transport undertakings, raising fresh concerns about public transport safety standards in the state.

Fire Incidents Trigger Legislative Debate

The issue gained renewed attention following a recent private sleeper bus fire on the Shivamogga–Bengaluru route.

The incident sparked a debate in the Legislative Council, bringing bus safety practices under scrutiny.

Data shows that only two bus fire incidents were reported in the past three years, one on December 25 in Chitradurga, which claimed eight lives, and another on January 27 in Shivamogga, where all passengers survived.

While investigations into the exact causes are ongoing, the debate has intensified around operational safety and enforcement gaps.

Allegations of Transporting Inflammable Goods

During discussions in the Upper House, BJP leader Kishore Kumar Puttur alleged that sleeper buses are being misused to transport cargo, including inflammable materials, alongside passengers.

He claimed that luggage is often loaded openly and even placed on rooftops in areas such as Anandrao Circle in Bengaluru.

According to him, items like cylinders, paint, and firecrackers are sometimes ferried in passenger buses to evade transport taxes, putting unsuspecting travellers at serious risk.

TGSRTC to Add 2800 electric buses Convert 240 Diesel Buses

Government Response and Safety Measures

Responding to the concerns, Karnataka transport minister R Ramalinga Reddy stated that bus owners and operators were recently briefed on the National Human Rights Commission’s 10-point safety guidelines.

He added that it was recommended that buses install public announcement systems to inform passengers about safety protocols.

The minister also said that department staff screen luggage transported in state-run buses to prevent the carriage of hazardous materials.

As investigations continue, the data highlights a broader challenge: improving operational discipline, enforcing cargo restrictions, and strengthening monitoring mechanisms to enhance passenger safety across Karnataka’s bus network.