Parents Demand Action After School Bus Tilts on Bengaluru’s Hazardous Roads

In a harrowing incident on Friday morning, a school bus carrying young children narrowly avoided disaster when it tilted dangerously on Bengaluru’s Panathur-Balagere Road. The near-miss has ignited outrage among parents and residents, who are now demanding urgent government intervention to address the city’s deteriorating road conditions.

A Close Call for Students

The bus, which was transporting nursery and primary school children, tilted due to the poor state of the road. Eyewitnesses reported that the children were terrified as the bus leaned precariously, causing some to fall onto each other. Muddy water seeped into the bus, damaging students’ belongings and adding to the chaos. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, but the psychological trauma was evident, especially among the younger children.

Recurrent Road Hazards

This incident is not an isolated case. Within hours of the school bus near-miss, two other vehicles—a mini-tempo and a water tanker—also became trapped in deep potholes on the same stretch. Residents have long complained about the hazardous conditions of the Panathur-Balagere Road, citing hidden craters and waterlogged areas that make daily commutes perilous. Despite repeated complaints, the road remains in a deplorable state, prompting calls for immediate action.

Residents’ Outcry

Local parents have expressed their frustration, emphasizing that this incident should serve as a wake-up call for authorities. Anasuya, a parent whose daughter was on the bus, recounted the traumatic experience, stating that her daughter was shaken by the event and that the incident could have turned into a tragedy. Another parent, Sandeep, warned that while they were fortunate this time, relying on luck is not a sustainable solution. Residents are now demanding that the government prioritize road repairs and ensure the safety of commuters, especially schoolchildren.

Government’s Response

Authorities have acknowledged the issue, attributing the delay in repairs to ongoing drainage and culvert work that has been hampered by recent rains. They have assured residents that the necessary repairs will be completed soon. However, given the recurring nature of such incidents, residents remain skeptical about the effectiveness of these assurances and are calling for more immediate and lasting solutions.

Conclusion

The near-tragedy involving the school bus on Bengaluru’s Panathur-Balagere Road highlights the urgent need for infrastructure improvements in the city. With residents expressing their outrage and demanding action, it is imperative for the authorities to address the deteriorating road conditions promptly. Ensuring the safety of schoolchildren and all commuters must be a top priority to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.