At root of Karnal accident: 12,000 bus passes

KARNAL: Students have been facing difficulties due to lack of buses in Karnal, the hometown of CM Manohar Lal Khattar. Around 2,000 students along with other passengers have to wait anxiously at ITI Chowk on the national highway. However, roadways drivers do not stop at designated stops causing students to chase for the buses. The recent accident, in which a student was killed, happened exactly due to such shortage of vehicles.

The police used batons and tear gas to disperse the protesting students who allegedly indulged in stone pelting. The chief minister ordered a two-tier probe into the matter. However, no effort was made to investigate the cause of accident.

According to the information, around 12,000 bus passes have been issued in Karnal for students, general public and government employees. Students are the biggest benficiaries with 8000 passes being used by them. But with only 164 Haryana Roadways buses in the Karnal depot, the problem gets magnified.

Students Vikash, Ramesh, Bittu and Kamal said not only at ITI chowk, they face similar problems at every major crossing on the national highway passing through the district. Besides, there are no bus shelters at the ITI Chowk.

RTI activist, advocate Rajesh Sharma said drivers must be made aware of students’ concerns. The frequency of buses should be increased during the institute’s opening and closing hours.

Traffic manager at Karnal depot Kamaljeet Singh said two sub-inspectors will be deployed on Guru Brahmanand chowk and ITI chowk to stop the buses. The order has already been issued.