In a shocking incident that has raised serious questions about passenger safety, a driver working for the private operator Seabird Tourist was arrested for drunk driving at a police checkpoint in Bengaluru. This event comes alarmingly close on the heels of a tragic bus fire involving the same company in Chitradurga, which claimed the lives of two passengers.
A Drunk Driver Behind the Wheel
The incident unfolded on the night of Tuesday, May 21, near the Goraguntepalya area in Bengaluru. Traffic police officers from the Yeshwanthpur division had set up a routine check to monitor vehicle violations. During this operation, they stopped a white-coloured private tourist bus bearing the registration number KA-57 A 999.
Upon interacting with the driver, identified as Manjunath H S (38), officers immediately suspected he was under the influence of alcohol. A breathalyser test was promptly administered, which confirmed their fears. The test revealed that Manjunath's blood alcohol content was a staggering 103 mg per 100 ml of blood. This is more than double the legal limit of 30 mg per 100 ml permitted for commercial drivers in India.
The police swiftly took the driver into custody. The bus, which belonged to the Seabird Tourist service, was reportedly empty at the time, with no passengers on board. Manjunath, a resident of Chikkabanavara, now faces legal action under the relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act for driving a commercial vehicle while intoxicated.
Echoes of the Chitradurga Tragedy
This arrest gains a grim significance due to its timing. It occurred merely days after a horrific accident involving another Seabird Tourist bus. On Saturday, May 18, a bus travelling from Bengaluru to Shivamogga caught fire near the Mayakonda region in Chitradurga district.
That inferno resulted in the tragic deaths of two passengers—Jayamma (75) and Lokesh (32)—who were asleep on the lower berth and could not escape. Several other passengers sustained injuries in the frantic rush to exit the burning vehicle. Preliminary investigations into that fire suggested a possible short circuit as the cause, highlighting a separate but critical safety failure.
The back-to-back incidents—one involving a fatal mechanical or electrical fault and the other involving a driver's grave negligence—paint a troubling picture of safety standards within the private bus operator's fleet.
Police Response and Broader Implications
The Bengaluru Traffic Police have signaled a firm stance following this incident. Authorities have emphasized that such violations, especially by drivers of commercial passenger vehicles, will be dealt with strictly. The arrest of the Seabird driver is part of heightened vigilance and increased checking of private buses across the city.
This crackdown aims to prevent potential disasters before they happen. A drunk driver in control of a large passenger bus poses an immense risk to:
- The lives of all passengers on board.
- Other vehicles and pedestrians on the road.
- Public property and infrastructure.
The twin incidents have sparked a public outcry, with citizens and transport activists demanding stricter enforcement of safety regulations and more frequent, surprise checks on private bus operators. The focus is now on ensuring accountability and compelling transport companies to enforce rigorous internal safety audits for both their vehicles and their crew.
The recent events serve as a stark reminder that passenger safety is a multi-faceted challenge. It requires not just mechanically sound vehicles but also alert, responsible, and sober drivers. The authorities' actions in Bengaluru indicate a move towards addressing both sides of this critical equation in the wake of tragedy.
