ST bus drivers found drunk mid journey, passengers raise alarm

Khamgaon: Alert passengers averted a major accident by stopping a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) sleeper bus headed from Paratwada to Pune after allegedly catching the driver and co-driver in an inebriated condition.Passengers said that the incident came to light when the bus reached Khamgaon bus stand. Several travellers said the driver appeared heavily drunk. It was found that two drivers and two conductors from the Paratwada depot were on board the sleeper bus. Shockingly, multiple liquor bottles were also found inside the bus, passengers claimed.The bus was scheduled to be driven up to Pune in two shifts, with another driver expected to take the wheels later. However, passengers alleged that even the second driver, deputed to drive after Jalna, was also under the influence of alcohol.When confronted at Khamgaon bus stand, the two drivers allegedly created a ruckus, forcing officials to call the police to control the situation. As a result, the bus remained stranded at the stand for nearly two hours, causing considerable inconvenience to passengers.Passengers have demanded strict action against the drivers and a thorough departmental inquiry by the state transport authorities, stating that allowing intoxicated staff to operate long-distance buses poses a serious threat to public safety.