After an Odisha-bound bus from West Bengal caught fire killing one passenger and injuring 30, the fire department here has appealed to bus owners not to allow inflammable materials, particularly crackers in buses.
The transport department also issued a public advisory cautioning people and bus owners against transportation of explosives and inflammable items in buses. “While travelling in buses, it is punishable to carry explosives, crackers, hand bombs, petroleum products and petrol,” said transport department advisory, while wishing people a safe diwali. It said gas canister (full or empty) shouldn’t be carried in buses.
Transport commissioner Amitav Thakur said ahead of Diwali, the sensitisation has been intensified with awareness posters being affixed at several places in all districts. “People shouldn’t carry inflammable items. Action against bus owners can be taken if it is established that the owner is involved in carrying dangerous substances. Other than the passengers’ luggage, no goods should be transported in public transport. It is an offence,” he told TOI.
Transport officials said posters on awareness have been put up in advance by respective regional transport offices. Deputy fire officer (Bhubaneswar) Abani Swain said the fire services has no authority to conduct raid or seize explosives if it is being carried in buses.
“We deal with the technical part as to how to contain fire and what are the substances that can trigger a fire. Let alone buses, it is true that inflammable materials shouldn’t be carried even in cars. There are special vehicles with safety features that carry explosives and crackers. Under the explosive act and in fire manual, there are restrictions on carrying crackers in public transport,” he said.
He said, ” If we come across complaints of buses being used to transport crackers, we will inform police. If it is felt on the part of the police that fire department’s assistance should be sought, they can do so in such a situation,” he added.
