In yet another tragic incident involving a private bus, nine pilgrims from Chittoor district were killed and 27 others were injured when the vehicle turned turtle on the Chinturu-Maredumilli Ghat road in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district of Andhra Pradesh on Friday morning. Following the accident, the Andhra Pradesh government suspended night travel on ghat roads. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu expressed condolences over the deaths of the pilgrims.
The bus belonging to Vigneswara Travels was carrying 35 pilgrims and two drivers to Bhadrachalam from Araku Valley when it overturned on the ghat road while negotiating a sharp turn. The incident occurred around 4:30 am. It is suspected that the bus hit the safety wall near Tulasipaka after the driver lost control. Foggy conditions, unfamiliar and difficult terrain, and the winding road may have led to the accident. The rescue operation was delayed by over an hour due to the remote location, which lacks mobile connectivity. Local villagers and police personnel later reached the spot and began rescue efforts. Five of the nine victims were women. A majority of the deceased were from Chittoor district, while two were from Bengaluru and one was from Tenali.
State Home Minister V Anitha reached the spot and later visited the injured at the hospital. She said officials have been instructed to erect warning boards on the ghat roads. “In the past, night travel was stopped on these roads due to fog. We are implementing those rules from today. We will ensure drivers have special licences to drive on the ghat road. We will also identify the danger zones,” she said.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences over the deaths. He said, “Pained by the loss of lives due to a bus mishap in the Alluri Sitharama Raju district of Andhra Pradesh. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs 50,000.” Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu also expressed his anguish. “The accident involving a private bus carrying passengers in the Alluri Sitarama Raju district has deeply shaken us. It is heartbreaking that several lives were lost in this accident… The government will stand by the families of those who lost their lives in the accident,” Naidu said.