A private bus on the Rajasthan-Gujarat border caught fire, causing serious injuries to one passenger and raising concerns about passenger safety. The incident occurred on the bus’s third day of operation due to a short circuit in its AC unit near Nenava. Eyewitnesses described how toxic smoke and flames quickly engulfed the bus, leading to panic among passengers.
Local authorities and police responded swiftly to the scene, where the injured passenger was provided initial treatment before being referred to a hospital in Palanpur. The passenger’s condition is critical, while others with minor injuries received medical attention. The operator of Swagat Travels, Nirmal Rayani, expressed concern over the destruction of passengers’ belongings and emphasized the need to establish contact with their families.
The incident highlighted the risks posed by buses using makeshift AC systems, known as ‘jugaad,’ which lack standard safety features. Experts warned that buses with non-standard wiring and inadequate emergency exits could become hazardous. The accident involving the Nachna-Ahmedabad bus shortly after its launch has raised questions about the oversight of the district’s transport authorities.
