Two weeks after the accident in Mandya, where 30 people lost their lives after a private bus plunged into a canal, the state government has decided to construct a barricade on the road in Kanaganamaradi in the district. The district authorities swung into action immediately after the tragic accident.
A day after the accident, a government bus, which runs four times a day, was pressed into service on the route between Pandavapura and Mandya. However, the residents of the village were still wary of the accident happening again. In order to assuage their fears, the district authorities will construct a barricade along the side of the road on the stretch where the accident took place in November.
Meanwhile, the police officials in Pandavapura have arrested Shivanna, the driver of the bus who absconded following the incident. Shivanna has been charged with negligence after a complaint was filed at the police station. “He was arrested on Sunday night and will be produced in court today,” confirmed Deepak, a police official at Pandavapura police station.
Thandava, the conductor of the bus who was also absconding, was taken into custody on November 26. After the bus plunged into the water, the conductor and driver swam to safety and absconded.
The accident took place on November 24 when the bus travelling from Pandavapura to Mandya suddenly swerved off the road and toppled into the Visweshwaraiah canal of the Cauvery river around 12 pm. According to the police, there was no other vehicle involved in the accident and the bus was travelling at a speed of 40-50 kmph.