Lack of sleep and busy work schedule; More details emerge in KSRTC accident in Karnataka

BENGALURU: More details emerged in the incident in which the driver and conductor died after a KSRTC Super Deluxe bus overturned en route to Bengaluru. Allegations are being made that the driver did not get enough rest before assuming duty this morning. The KL 15 A 1963, ATC 129 numbered bus from the Kozhikode depot crashed into a pillar of a huge board on the roadside and overturned.

The bus driver, Mithilesh, a native of Vellayil, Kozhikode, and the conductor, N. M. Arun, a native of Kovoor, Kozhikode, died on the spot. The initial conclusion is that the driver was extremely tired and sleepy but was forced to take up the duty on Friday night.

Mithilesh returned from the Mysore service only on Friday morning. This is a service route that requires only one person to drive for ten hours. Therefore, Mithilesh had to join the next Bengaluru service at 9:30 last night before getting enough rest. Mithilesh was a temporary employee. KSRTC employees concluded that the accident might have been due to the hassle-filled work hours that left the driver drained while at the wheel.

Most of the buses plying on the Kozhikode-Bengaluru route have a driver-cum-conductor system. However, only two services have a single driver on duty. Due to the workload and the risk of accidents, many permanent employees avoid taking up work on these buses. Therefore, most of the services rely on temporary drivers.