In a frightening incident in Odisha's capital, twenty-six passengers had a miraculous escape after the Ama Bus they were travelling in caught fire at a busy junction on Saturday morning. The prompt evacuation by the bus staff prevented any casualties.
Timely Evacuation Averts Tragedy
The incident occurred near Kalinga Studio Square in Bhubaneswar. According to eyewitness accounts, smoke was first detected inside the moving bus. This immediate warning allowed the driver and onboard staff to act with remarkable speed. They successfully evacuated all passengers before the situation could turn dire.
Fire service teams reached the spot quickly and managed to douse the flames. The operator, Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT), provided a detailed timeline. They stated that the bus, operating on Route No. 23 from Bhubaneswar railway station to IGKC Hospital, had finished its first trip and was returning for the second when the trouble began.
"At approximately 6:26 am, near the Kalinga Studio Square stop, the bus captain noticed smoke coming from the battery unit," CRUT's official statement explained. Following protocol, all passengers were evacuated immediately. The crew also attempted to control the initial smoke using the onboard fire extinguisher.
Short-Circuit Identified as Cause; Safety Protocols Scrutinized
The preliminary investigation points to a technical failure. Authorities have confirmed that the blaze originated from a short-circuit in the main battery unit. Despite the crew's efforts, the fire intensified, causing extensive damage to the vehicle.
Reacting to the event, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, who was in Sambalpur, announced that additional safety protocols are being reinforced across the entire Ama Bus fleet. He reiterated the short-circuit as the root cause.
The fire led to a temporary disruption of traffic at the important junction. However, passengers were swiftly accommodated on another bus and moved away from the danger zone.
CRUT Takes Corrective Action
In the aftermath, CRUT has initiated several corrective measures. The corporation has issued a show-cause notice to the concerned route operator. It has directed the operator to immediately ensure the fitness of the remaining 30 buses in its charge.
In a significant move, CRUT has also ordered the operator to identify and replace all buses that are over 12 years old. This incident has raised fresh concerns about public transport safety, especially since a similar bus fire was reported in Cuttack at Madhupatna Square on December 14, 2024.
The combined alertness of the bus staff and the rapid response of the fire services ensured that what could have been a major disaster ended with only property damage. The incident underscores the critical need for rigorous and regular vehicle maintenance in public transport systems.
