Mahinder Patyal
Bharmour
A Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus had a narrow escape from a major accident in the tribal region of Bharmour subdivision on Wednesday morning. The bus, which operates daily from the remote Panchayat of Kugti to Bharmour, nearly plunged into a deep gorge after the road suddenly caved in near Sandi, close to Hadsar.
According to reports, the bus left Kugti around 8 a.m. with about 12 passengers onboard, including schoolchildren, employees, and local villagers, and was scheduled to reach Bharmour by 9 a.m. As the bus approached the Sandi stretch, which had already been affected by a landslide, the roadside embankment collapsed. The front tire of the bus was left hanging in mid-air, creating panic among passengers.
Fortunately, the driver’s presence of mind and the crash barricade installed along the roadside prevented the bus from plunging into the raging river below. All passengers were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported.
Local residents stated that the incident occurred due to landslides and road subsidence. They have urged the administration to immediately repair the route and strengthen safety measures to prevent such life-threatening situations in the future.
