BULDHANA: A private passenger bus travelling from Nagpur to Mumbai caught fire after midnight on the Samruddhi Expressway near Shivni Pisa village, close to Sindkhed Raja in Mehekar taluka of Buldhana district. All 36 passengers managed to jump out of the vehicle moments before it was completely gutted.
The driver and conductor’s alertness proved critical in averting a major tragedy. Preliminary information suggests that smoke was first seen emanating from the rear of the moving bus. The fire spread rapidly, triggering panic inside the vehicle.
A few passengers suffered minor injuries due to smoke inhalation and the rush to evacuate. They were taken to a nearby hospital, where they were given first aid.
Following an alert, police, highway patrol, disaster management teams and fire brigade personnel rushed to the spot. Firefighters eventually brought the blaze under control, but the bus was reduced to ashes by then. Traffic on the expressway was disrupted for some time due to the incident.
While the exact cause of the fire is yet to be determined, initial reports point to a possible short circuit or technical fault.
The incident revived memories of the deadly luxury bus fire on the same expressway in July 2023 that killed 26 passengers, once again highlighting concerns over vehicle safety and emergency preparedness on the high-speed corridor.
Passengers credited the driver and conductor for their presence of mind, saying their swift action saved dozens of lives and prevented another catastrophe.
