Overloaded private buses risking lives in Sirmaur’s Trans-Giri region

The remote Trans-Giri area of Sirmaur district is grappling with an alarming lack of public transport services, forcing residents to rely heavily on private bus operators. However, these operators are blatantly violating traffic rules, endangering passengers’ lives in pursuit of higher profits.

Today a private bus was seen crammed with passengers far exceeding its capacity near Sataun on National Highway 707. The bus was so overcrowded that passengers were left standing in dangerously cramped conditions, while many were forced to sit on the roof due to a lack of space inside.

The region’s steep, winding roads pass through narrow paths alongside deep gorges, making travel inherently risky. Any minor lapse in safety could result in catastrophic accidents. However, due to the scarcity of public transportation options, residents have no choice but to risk their lives travelling on such overloaded private buses.

Ravindra Thakur, Robin Sharma, Kuldeep Singh, and Sangeeta Devi, locals from the area, highlighted the dire situation. They noted that Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses rarely service this region, leaving most routes to private operators. “Private bus operators prioritise profits over safety, blatantly violating traffic norms, while passengers are left with no alternative but to pay full fare and risk their lives,” said the residents.

They further alleged that the Regional Transport Office (RTO) focuses only on urban areas of the district like Nahan, Paonta Sahib, and Kala Amb, neglecting the far-flung areas of Sangrah, Haripurdhar, Rajgarh, Ronhat, Shillai, and Kaffota etc., where traffic violations occur frequently in broad daylight.

The region has witnessed several devastating road accidents in the past. One of the worst tragedies occurred a few years ago near Gumma on the same road, where an overloaded private bus crashed, claiming 45 lives. Such incidents serve as grim reminders of the consequences of negligence by private operators and the lack of strict enforcement by authorities.

Local residents are demanding immediate intervention from the Transport Department and the police. They urge law enforcement agencies to actively monitor these remote areas and penalize private bus operators violating safety norms. “Strict action is necessary to prevent future tragedies and ensure passenger safety,” said Rajesh Kumar, a concerned resident.

The lack of reliable public transportation in the Trans-Giri area underscores the need for the state government to strengthen HRTC services and regulate private operators. Until then, the lives of countless passengers traveling these dangerous routes remain precariously balanced.