PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for victims of Telangana bus accident

Rescue work underway after a tipper lorry carrying gravel collided head-on with a public transport bus, near Chevella in Ranga Reddy district. (Pic/PTI)

Amid the unfortunate incident that happened in Telangana's Rangareddy district, where 20 people have lost their lives, the Prime Minister has also expressed his deepest condolences to the families. While expressing his condolences to the deceased, the Prime Minister has also announced an ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs from the Prime Minister National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to be given to the next of kin of each deceased individual. The official release also states that the injured individuals will be provided with a sum of Rs. 50,000.

While posting about the tragic incident at Rangareddy, Modi wrote, "The loss of lives due to a mishap in the Rangareddy district of Telangana is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured. An ex gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000."

Meanwhile, ADG Mahesh Bhagwat stated that the accident took place between a bus and a tipper. The tipper was seemingly moving at a very high speed and rammed into the bus. At least 19 people, including 10 women, 8 men, and a 3-month-old child, have died due to the impact of the collision.

While speaking to the media, the ADG said, "This morning, while this bus of the Vikarabad depot was going towards Hyderabad, a tipper was coming from the Hyderabad side, from Chevella towards Vikarabad. There was a head-on collision; it seems that the tipper was travelling at a very high speed and it rammed into this bus."

He added, "In total so far, 19 casualties - 10 women, 8 men and a 3-month-old child - have been reported. People with minor injuries are in Chevella Govt Hospital. Those with major injuries are in another hospital near Chevella. Some others have already gone home, and we are tracking them. As per the conductor's statement, there were around 72 people on the bus. We are verifying that," as cited by news agency ANI.

During the early hours of Monday, a road accident between a TGSRTC bus and a truck occurred near Khanapur Gate, under the Chevella police station limits in Rangareddy district, as per the officials.

The Chevella police said, "A road accident occurred between a TGSRTC bus and a truck near Khanapur Gate, under the Chevella police station limits in Rangareddy district. Several passengers are injured, and more details are yet to be known. This incident happened early this morning. We reached the spot, and more details will be provided later," as cited by news agency ANI.

The officials said that the accident occurred when a tipper coming from the wrong side collided with the bus. The minister instructed RTC officials to reach the accident spot immediately.

(With inputs from ANI)