1 week ago
Parents Protest After Manthan School Bus Catches Fire
A school bus caught fire before children were scheduled to ride it.
The fire happened at Manthan International School near Tellapur.
About 60 younger students were expected to board the bus soon afterward.
No students were reported hurt in the incident.
Parents protested because they were worried about bus safety and maintenance.
Some parents said students had noticed a strange smell from the air-conditioning vents earlier.
They also said another school bus had caught fire in January.
Officials are checking the bus registration and investigating what caused the fire.
The school has about 30 buses serving around 1,000 students.
A bus at Manthan International School caught fire in Tellapur at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday.
The fire occurred shortly before about 60 younger students were expected to board the bus.
Parents questioned bus maintenance and alleged an earlier bus fire occurred in January.
They said students had reported an air-conditioning smell before the incident, but no action followed.
Police, fire officials, and the transport department were investigating the vehicle and its registration details.
- Who
- Parents of Manthan International School students, school management, and transport, police, and fire officials were involved.
- What
- A school bus caught fire, prompting parents to protest over alleged maintenance and safety concerns.
- Where
- Manthan International School in Tellapur, near Ramachandrapuram, Hyderabad; the bus was registered with the Regional Transport Authority in Sangareddy.
- When
- Tuesday at 2:35 p.m., shortly before students were due to board the bus.
- Why
- Parents sought answers about bus maintenance, air-conditioning concerns, fire preparedness, and compliance with inspection requirements.
Parents’ concerns
Officials’ findings so far
Bus maintenance and warnings
Parents’ concerns
Parents alleged that bus maintenance was inadequate, said students had reported a smell from the air-conditioning vents, and referred to an earlier bus fire in January.
Officials’ findings so far
Officials had not announced a cause for the fire; the district fire officer said an investigation was under way.
Vehicle classification
Parents’ concerns
Parents alleged that the bus operated as air-conditioned even though its invoice described the model as non-air-conditioned.
Officials’ findings so far
A Sangareddy assistant motor vehicle inspector said officials were tracing the registration details but were sure the vehicle was air-conditioned.
Emergency preparedness
Parents’ concerns
A parent alleged that staff were not trained to tackle a fire and that the school lacked firefighting equipment.
Officials’ findings so far
Police and fire department investigations were ongoing, and no official finding on staff training or firefighting equipment was reported.
Key facts
- School enrollment
- About 1,000 students
- School bus fleet
- About 30 buses on different routes
- Students expected to board
- About 60 lower-class students
- Incident time
- 2:35 p.m. Tuesday
- Transport fees
- Parents said air-conditioned bus transport costs ₹65,000–₹70,000 annually
- School fees
- Parents said school fees are around ₹4 lakh
- Required oversight
- The Telangana Transport Department requires schools to appoint a committee to inspect buses monthly
- Investigation status
- Police and fire officials were investigating, while transport officials were tracing the vehicle’s registration details
Quotes
Geetha Krishnappa
A parent of two Manthan International School students.
“One of the buses caught on fire last January. We don’t know what the management did with that bus.”
deccanchronicle.com
“We are fortunate that our children are safe.”
deccanchronicle.com
Assistant motor vehicle inspector, Sangareddy
A Sangareddy transport department official involved in tracing the bus registration.
“We are trying to trace the registration of the vehicle, but we are sure that the vehicle is air conditioned. The investigation is being done by the police and fire department.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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