26 injured as two buses collide head-on in Shimla

At least 26 people were injured after two private buses collided head-on near regional transport office in Shimla on the National Highway 22 on Saturday.

At least 26 people were injured after two private buses collided head-on near regional transport office in Shimla on the National Highway 22 on Saturday.

Eyewitnesses said the accident took place due to “reckless driving” of the bus going towards Summer Hill, while the bus coming from the opposite direction, which was on its way to Karsog, was in normal speed.

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The driver of the bus going to Summer Hill was injured seriously and was admitted to Indira Gandhi Medical College Hospital here, along with 20 other, while six were taken to a local public healthcare centre.

Additional superintendent of police (ASP) BD Negi said when the buses reached near RTO, the local bus came from wrong side and negligently collided head-on with the another bus. “A case has been registered against the local bus driver under sections 279 and 337 of Indian Penal Code following the statement of Tek Chand, driver of the another bus,” said the ASP.

Meanwhile, a helpline number started by police has been getting calls regarding rash driving and overloading. The traffic police have challanned over 200 vehicles last month for rash driving.

Deputy superintendent of police (DSP-traffic) Dinesh Sharma said there were two major complaints of traffic rule violations by private buses in Shimla — overloading and rash driving. “We are taking action against those violating the traffic rules,” he said.