Campbell Bay : A potentially serious accident was averted in the early hours of Friday when an STS bus travelling from Campbell Bay to Joginder Nagar reportedly suffered a brake failure and went off the North-South Road, with all four occupants escaping with only minor injuries.
The incident occurred around five kilometres from Zero Point on a challenging stretch of road that runs through a valley and descends from both sides.
The bus had left Campbell Bay on its scheduled 5.45 am trip to Joginder Nagar and was carrying two passengers, besides the driver and conductor. According to reports, the driver realised well before reaching the accident spot that the brakes were not functioning properly.
Displaying presence of mind, the driver immediately alerted the conductor and the two passengers, asking them to brace themselves as the vehicle continued down the slope. The bus subsequently struck the guard rails of a culvert before going off the road and entering the adjoining forested area beyond the road berm, where it finally came to a halt.
All four occupants reportedly sustained minor injuries, but no major injuries were reported. The timely alert and the manner in which the situation was handled by the driver are believed to have helped avert a more serious tragedy. The incident, however, has once again brought into sharp focus the need for rigorous mechanical inspections and preventive maintenance of State Transport Service (STS) buses, particularly those operating in remote and geographically challenging areas such as Great Nicobar.
Thorough roadworthiness checks before vehicles are pressed into service can help detect mechanical defects and minimise the risk of accidents. There is also a pressing need to ensure the adequate availability of buses at remote STS units, which would provide greater flexibility for regular servicing and maintenance without disrupting essential public transport services.
Though the latest mishap resulted only in minor injuries, it serves as a timely reminder that the safety of public transport cannot be left to chance. With recent STS bus accidents elsewhere in the Islands having resulted in serious injuries to passengers, regular inspection, timely maintenance and adequate fleet strength must remain a priority to prevent such incidents from turning into tragedies.
