Thrissur (Kerala) | Kerala Transport Minister C P John on Monday said that the government would take stringent action against vehicles operating without speed governors and enforce stricter speed monitoring, especially during the monsoon, following the fatal private bus accident at Kuttipuram.
Calling the accident "extremely unfortunate", the minister said the preliminary investigation indicated that overspeeding was the likely cause.
He said a five-day post-crash inquiry by the Transport Department was already underway, in addition to the police investigation, and the government was treating the incident with utmost seriousness.
John said the system of departmental post-crash inquiries was introduced after the recent Kottarakkara accident and that the Transport Commissioner had been directed to conduct such inquiries into every major road accident and submit a report.
Stressing that such accidents should not recur, he said Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) had been instructed to intensify speed enforcement, particularly during the rainy season.
The minister also warned of stringent action against vehicles operating without speed governors.
Referring to traffic patterns, John said many motorists preferred highways as they allowed higher speeds while avoiding other roads, adding that the issue also required policy intervention.
His statement came a day after a private bus on the Kozhikode-Thrissur route overturned on the highway near Kuttipuram in Malappuram district, killing one person and injuring 26 others.
A video of the accident showed the bus, apparently travelling at high speed, suddenly veering to the left, hitting the concrete barrier along the service road and overturning.
Speaking on transport arrangements for the upcoming festival and pilgrimage season, the minister said the government would hire luxury buses, preferably those operating interstate services, to augment KSRTC services during the Onam season and the Sabarimala pilgrimage.
He said the government was prepared to pay a daily rental for such buses and also expressed willingness to facilitate the purchase of buses using funds from MLAs, panchayats and municipalities.
