Safe journey is a misnomer on Andhra Pradesh roads

VIJAYAWADA: It appears 'safe journey' in private travels is fast turning into a mirage for passengers in Andhra Pradesh with travel operators violating the norms and caring two hoots for the safety of passengers. Despite the series of mishaps, the authorities have not initiated strong action on errant private operators like cancelling the licence or bus permit.
“All the bus operators are funding ruling party leaders and hence no action is taken,“ said a passenger.On March 15, 2016, a Volvo bus of Dhanunjaya Travels rammed a tree and flipped into roadside drain at Guntupalli village near Vijayawada. The accident took the lives of five medical students and injured 28 others. But till now, no action has been taken.
With the road transport department silent, travel operators continue to flout norms.Shockingly , the transport department imposed a fine on Tuesday's ill-fated bus last month in East Godavari district for rash driving. The bus was proceeding to Visakhapatnam from Hyderabad and the speed of the bus recorded more than 120 km. “The driver himself confessed to the violation and agreed to pay the fine,“ said Vijayawada RTO M Purendra.
Also, transport officials often come across instances of the buses being run as stage carriers though the permit is given only for a contract carrier. “It's a brazen violation. They should not operate the bus as a stage carrier,“ he added.