Death Traps? NHRC Slams Unsafe Buses in Punjab's Tirth Yatra Scheme
The NHRC has intervened after reports of unsafe sleeper buses under Punjab's Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana, ordering an immediate inspection.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has stepped in to address alarming allegations regarding the safety of buses used in the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana. The Punjab government's flagship scheme, designed to help senior citizens and economically disadvantaged individuals visit holy shrines, is now under scrutiny for allegedly deploying sleeper buses that could put the lives of pilgrims at grave risk.
Serious Safety Violations Alleged
The NHRC took cognisance of the matter after complaints highlighted a series of dangerous modifications and deficiencies in the air-conditioned sleeper buses. The allegations suggest that these vehicles are not only non-compliant with safety standards but may have been structurally altered in ways that could prove fatal during an emergency.
Key concerns raised include:
- Unauthorised Structural Changes: Allegations of illegal modifications to the bus bodies.
- Blocked Communication: The installation of partitions and doors that separate the driver's cabin from the passenger area, potentially hindering communication during crises.
- Obstructed Exits: Reports that emergency exits and windows have been blocked, leaving passengers trapped in the event of an accident.
- Fire Safety Failures: A critical lack of essential fire detection, suppression, and emergency evacuation systems.
"A welfare scheme cannot put the lives of its beneficiaries at risk. The safety of elderly pilgrims must not be compromised under any circumstances," the Commission stated in an official release.
NHRC Demands Immediate Action
The NHRC Bench, led by Priyank Kanoongo, has not taken these allegations lightly. Under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the Commission has issued formal notices to the Chief Secretary of the Government of Punjab and the Secretary of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India.
Strict Directives for Punjab Government
The Commission has ordered the Punjab Chief Secretary to personally oversee a comprehensive inspection of every single bus deployed under the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana. The directive is clear: any bus found violating safety requirements must be withdrawn from service immediately. These vehicles cannot return to the road until all deficiencies are fixed and verified by the competent authority.
The Punjab government is required to submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) within seven days, which must include:
- The total number of buses used in the scheme.
- Details of inspections carried out.
- A list of identified deficiencies and corrective measures.
- The number of