Almora, Bhandup and Other Bus Crashes Raise Alarm
Fatal Bus Accidents in 2025 Reflect Systemic Road Safety Risks
Mumbai/Almora: India experienced two separate bus tragedies today, highlighting persistent road safety challenges across both rural and urban environments. In the Almora district of Uttarakhand, a passenger bus operated by the Kumaon Motor Owners Union (KMVN) carrying approximately 18–19 people lost control while negotiating a bend in the Bhikiyasain area and fell into a deep gorge. Rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force and local police navigated steep terrain and limited visibility to evacuate survivors and recover the deceased. Six passengers died at the scene, and one succumbed during transport, bringing the confirmed toll to seven, while around twelve others, including the driver, were injured. Several critically injured passengers were airlifted to advanced medical facilities, while others received treatment at local hospitals. As of 31 December, authorities reported that casualty numbers remained stable, and hospital teams continued to monitor the injured. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami maintained close oversight of the rescue and relief operations, expressing grief and coordinating with local authorities. While Uttarakhand has a history of announcing ex gratia payments in similar cases, typically ranging from two to five lakh rupees, details for this incident were yet to be confirmed at the time.
Meanwhile, in Mumbai’s Bhandup area, a wet-lease electric AC Olectra midi bus on route 606, operated under BEST, reversed into a crowded footpath near the Bhandup railway station late last night, striking pedestrians at a busy stop. The collision resulted in four deaths and between nine and fourteen injuries. CCTV footage confirmed the bus mounted the footpath while reversing. Police noted that footpath encroachment by hawkers forced pedestrians closer to moving vehicles, and the bus’s limited turning radius in congested streets contributed to the accident. The bus driver was detained, and BEST authorities initiated an inquiry, including operational reviews and temporary suspensions. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced an ex gratia of five lakh rupees for each family of the deceased and ensured medical care for the injured. Opposition political leaders also visited the site, emphasising the need for improved urban transport oversight.
Both incidents elicited statements from the Prime Minister’s Office, which expressed sorrow over the fatalities and extended condolences to the families, while wishing a swift recovery for the injured. Central authorities commonly announce ex gratia payments in major accidents, and discussions were underway regarding appropriate support for victims in both states.
The Almora and Bhandup accidents are part of a troubling pattern of bus incidents across India in 2025. Earlier collisions between buses and trucks in Telangana and Karnataka claimed dozens of lives, while fires in private sleeper buses in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh resulted in high casualties due to electrical faults, restricted emergency exits, and vehicle design vulnerabilities. The Chitradurga bus-truck fire on 25 December killed between six and eleven people, and an October bus fire in Andhra Pradesh claimed around twenty lives. A private sleeper bus fire in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, resulted in over twenty-four fatalities, and a collision in Ranga Reddy, Telangana, killed approximately nineteen people. Common contributing factors across these events included challenging terrain, vehicle design limitations, overcrowding, congested streets, electrical faults, restricted emergency exits, and lapses in the enforcement of safety regulations.
National statistics provide a broader context. India records an estimated 150,000–170,000 road deaths annually, with buses accounting for a significant share. The September 2025 AIS-153 bus safety code introduced stricter mandates for emergency exits, vehicle maintenance, driver training, and speed management. Nevertheless, gaps remain in fleet compliance, particularly among private operators, prompting calls for independent audits, stricter enforcement, and broader systemic reforms. Urban areas face additional challenges from footpath encroachments, dense traffic, and limited space for manoeuvring, while rural and hilly regions contend with steep terrain, narrow roads, and slower emergency response times.
The human toll of these incidents is considerable. Families are coping with the sudden loss of loved ones, and injured passengers continue to recover under medical supervision. Emergency responders faced challenging conditions in both locations, underscoring the complexities of rescue operations. Authorities continue investigations, provide care for the injured, and support bereaved families. Analysts emphasise that systemic reforms are essential, including stricter compliance monitoring, enhanced driver training, infrastructure improvements, better urban planning for pedestrian safety, and emergency preparedness measures.
A chronological overview of the major bus incidents in 2025 situates the Almora and Bhandup tragedies within a broader pattern. At the end of December, the Almora bus crash resulted in seven deaths and twelve injuries, while the Bhandup incident caused four deaths and nine to fourteen injuries. Earlier incidents include the Chitradurga bus-truck fire with six to eleven fatalities, the Andhra Pradesh bus fire in October with about twenty deaths, the Jaisalmer private bus fire with over twenty-four fatalities, and the Ranga Reddy collision killing around nineteen. These events illustrate recurring systemic risks and highlight both the human and structural dimensions of bus safety challenges in India.
The twin accidents in Almora and Bhandup, alongside other deadly bus incidents this year, reinforce the urgency of comprehensive safety interventions. Immediate relief, medical care, and investigations continue, but these tragedies underscore the need for coordinated policy, improved infrastructure, regulatory enforcement, and urban planning measures to prevent future loss of life.
– global bihari bureau
