Team Goemkarponn
VASCO: A tragic accident occurred when a mini bus travelling from Verna to Vasco overturned at the Queeny Nagar junction on the Verna highway. The conductor, Shiva Madar, a resident of Birla, lost his life, and several passengers sustained injuries.
The bus, reportedly packed beyond its capacity with workers from the Verna Industrial Estate, toppled near the junction after the driver allegedly lost control while speeding over a dug-up road stretch.
Thirteen injured passengers are undergoing treatment at the Chicalim Sub District Hospital, while others were shifted to the Cansaulim Primary Health Centre. The mishap triggered a major traffic jam along the busy four-lane highway as bystanders rushed to assist the injured.
Sources revealed that the bus was so overcrowded that its door remained open, forcing conductor Shiva Madar to stand on the footboard.
“The number of injured passengers could be as many as 28. The conductor was standing at the open door due to the overcrowded condition of the bus,” said a source at the site.
Cortalim MLA Anton Vas, who visited the accident spot, confirmed the death of the conductor and criticised the bus operator for negligence.
“I have directed the police to investigate the matter and take action against the bus owner in case the vehicle was overloaded, and human lives were put at risk,” Vas stated.
Deploy traffic police during peak hours- Ex Sancoale Panch Narayan Naik
Ex-Sancoale panch Narayan Naik said the tragedy was long expected due to unchecked overloading.
“This is an eye-opener. Traffic police must be deployed between 8 am to 11 am and 4 pm to 7 pm to monitor such buses. The bus was speeding and lost control after hitting a dug-up patch,” said Naik.
A local resident held the authorities like the RTO and Traffic police responsible for failing to monitor overloaded buses.
“Who is responsible for this accident? The RTO and traffic officials have turned a blind eye. Buses often race for passengers with people dangerously hanging at the doors,” said the resident.
“Bus was speeding” – injured passenger
Passenger Sonam Namshekar, who is under treatment at Chicalim hospital, recounted the horrific experience.
“The bus was moving at high speed and was packed beyond capacity. The driver braked suddenly, and the next thing we knew, the bus had toppled near Queeny Nagar,” she said.
Bus owner blames third-party operator
Bus owner Feroz Agha distanced himself from the incident, stating the vehicle was being operated by another party.
“I had handed over the bus to someone named Rama. I don’t even know who was driving it. The roads are dug up, but drivers must be cautious,” Agha said.
“Bus had 14 challans” – Traffic SP
Traffic SP Prabodh Shirwaikar revealed that the bus already had a history of traffic violations.
“The bus had 14 challans issued by the traffic and RTO departments. We will take the strictest action against vehicles violating safety norms,” said Shirwaikar.
He added that enforcement would continue, especially against buses found racing or flouting traffic discipline.
