TNR News Network
Bilaspur:
In the wake of the bus accident near Bhallu bridge in the Berthin area of Bilaspur district, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced Rs 4 lakh compensation for the families of each deceased victim. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also approved an additional Rs 2 lakh ex gratia under the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF), taking the total compensation to Rs 6 lakh per family.
The accident, caused by a sudden landslide on Tuesday (October 7, 2025) evening, claimed 16 lives, including women and children. Among 18 people onboard, only two children survived with minor injuries. The body of a missing child was recovered on Wednesday morning after an intensive overnight rescue effort.
Deeply tragic incident, says CM Sukhu
Addressing the media at the state secretariat in Shimla, CM Sukhu expressed deep sorrow over the incident and confirmed the compensation amount.
“This is a deeply tragic incident. As a state, we mourn the loss of innocent lives. The government will provide Rs 4 lakh each to the families of those who lost their lives. We have already begun the disbursement of immediate relief and further financial aid will follow through SDRF provisions,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that as soon as the administration received information about the accident, heavy machinery like JCBs were rushed to the site. Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani also returned early from a scheduled conference in Delhi to oversee the situation on the ground.
PM Modi offers condolences, announces additional support
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, through a message conveyed by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), expressed his condolences to the bereaved families and sanctioned Rs 2 lakh as ex gratia assistance for the next of kin of each deceased.
“The Prime Minister is deeply pained by the loss of lives in the Bilaspur bus accident and has directed that all necessary assistance be provided to those affected,” the PMO stated.
The rescue operation, led by NDRF, QRT, and Home Guard teams, was made difficult by continuous rainfall and falling debris. The operation was paused for safety reasons around 2.30 am and resumed at 6.40 am. With the discovery of the final victim’s body at 10 am on Wednesday, the total death toll stood at 16.
The deceased include four members from the same extended family. Two children — Aarushi (10) and Shaurya (8) — miraculously survived after being trapped under seats. They were rescued with minor injuries and discharged from AIIMS-Bilaspur early Wednesday morning.
CM Sukhu also pointed to broader environmental concerns, stating that the state has suffered over Rs 7,000 crore in damages this monsoon season due to landslides, floods and rain-related disasters.
“Since June 30, climate patterns have clearly shifted. Rainfall is continuing into October, making hillsides unstable. Water seeps into the soil, softens it, and leads to landslides like this. Typically, October is not a landslide-prone month, but the situation is changing,” Sukhu said.
