Bus driver talking on phone caused accident: Report

Bhubaneswar, Sep 10 (PTI) Odisha government TransportCommissioner Chandra Sekhar Kumar today said the driver of theill-fated bus, which fell off a bridge killing 19 people inAngul yesterday, was talking on his mobile phone while drivingthe vehicle. "The driver’s attention was distracted as he wastalking on his mobile phone, leading to the mishap," Kumarsaid based on preliminary reports from the Angul RegionalTransport Officer (RTO). Kumar said the bus was overloaded and over-speedingalso attributed to the mishap. The bus was 16 years old andwas fit to run on road, he said based on the RTO report. The mishap took place yesterday near Deulijhari whenthe bus from Boudh to Athamallik fell off the bridge at PurunaManitri. The driver is still absconding, the police said. Kumar said there would be a meeting with the BusOwners’ Association on September 12. "Now there is a growing demand not to allow any busafter 15 years of running on the road," he said adding, a banon use of mobile phones by the drivers was needed. Meanwhile, a report submitted by the four-member teamof the district administration of Angul also said overloadingand reckless driving led to the bus accident at Athamallik. "Both the bus owner and the driver are absconding. Wecan get the exact reason of the accident after the driver isnabbed," said Anil Samal, Collector of Angul district. A day after the tragic bus accident, students ofAthamallik college today organised a bandh demanding Rs tenlakh compensation for the family members of the deceased,arrest of the bus driver and the RTO who gave fitnesscertificate to the vehicle and plying of new buses on theAthamallik-Boudh route. No vehicular movement was seen due to the bandh. Shops,business establishments and educational institutions alsoremained closed, officials said. PTI AAM DKBAYP