JAIPUR: Disaster was averted in the nick of time when a Rajasthan Roadways bus erupted in flames while ferrying 60 passengers through Mansarovar area. The Friday afternoon scare at RICO Circle saw the entire vehicle destroyed, but swift action ensured zero injuries.
The 2:40 PM mishap involved a bus departing Sindhi Camp for Kekri. Drivers nearby noticed smoke first, followed by visible fire licking the undercarriage. Inside, pandemonium ensued, but the driver’s decisive stop and evacuation call allowed everyone to flee unharmed.
Mansarovar firefighters, under Shakuntala Saini, arrived promptly with tenders and doused the fire after 30 minutes of combat. Initial reports attribute the blaze to an electrical short circuit originating in the wiring, rapidly consuming the engine.
Police and fire officials verified no burns or casualties. A comprehensive inquiry is underway to pinpoint the fault and assess damages. Eyewitness accounts emphasize the rapid fire spread, crediting passenger awareness for the fortunate outcome.
RSRTC management hailed the incident as a ‘wake-up call,’ committing to fleet-wide checks. The event disrupted peak-hour traffic briefly, now resolved. It reignites debates on public transport safety standards amid growing commuter numbers.