CHANDIGARH: A National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) bench headed by member Priyank Kanoongo has taken serious note of alleged safety violations in buses operating under the Punjab government’s Mukh Mantri Teerth Yatra scheme and the recent fatal bus accident in Tarn Taran. It has issued conditional summons to the Punjab chief secretary.
The commission has been monitoring passenger bus safety across the country for the past year. In its earlier proceedings, it had expressed concern over repeated fatal accidents involving passenger and sleeper buses, structural defects in vehicles and violations of Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) guidelines. It had also directed authorities to take immediate preventive measures.
A complaint filed by the Network for Access to Justice and Multidisciplinary Outreach Foundation highlighted serious safety deficiencies in buses deployed under Punjab’s pilgrimage scheme. The complaint alleged illegal structural modifications, obstructions in front of emergency exits and a lack of adequate firefighting arrangements.
The commission had directed the Punjab government to inspect all buses operating under the scheme and immediately withdraw vehicles that failed to meet prescribed safety standards. However, it observed that the state government had failed to take effective action on its directions.
The concerns were further highlighted by the accident in Tarn Taran on November 14, 2026, in which two buses operating under the same scheme collided, killing four people and injuring around 30 others.
Taking serious note of the alleged continued negligence and the fatal accident, the commission criticised the authorities’ lackadaisical approach and issued conditional summons to the Punjab chief secretary to appear before it.
The chief secretary has been directed to submit a detailed report covering bus inspections, compliance with safety standards, corrective measures taken, action against vehicles violating regulations and the circumstances of the Tarn Taran accident.
If the complete report is not submitted within the stipulated time, the chief secretary will be required to appear personally before the commission.
The NHRC reiterated that ensuring passenger safety, particularly that of elderly people and other vulnerable groups, is the direct responsibility of the state government and regulatory authorities.
