Probe team rules out rash driving behind Mahanadi bus mishap

Cuttack: The three-member investigating team that visited the accident spot, where a bus fell off the Mahanadi bridge near Jagatpur here killing 10 persons, today stated that the bus might have rammed into the railing and later fell off the bridge to save a buffalo.

The team consisting of Motor Vehicle Inspector (MVI), a NHAI official and the Jagatpur police station Inspector In-Charge (IIC) visited the accident site today spot to find out the exact cause behind the mishap.

After preliminary investigation, the officials ruled out rash driving as the cause behind the incident. They said the bus was registered in 2016; hence, a driver won’t be able to drive the vehicle faster than 80 kmph. The investigating officials also cited poor condition of the old railing could be another reason behind the mishap. The team is also investigating as to whether the mishap occurred due to any technical glitches.

Sources said the team will submit its report to Road Transport Authority via the RTO after completion of its investigation.

On November 20 evening, 10 persons were killed and 50 others sustained critical injuries after the bus they were travellnng in fell 30 feet off the Mahanadi bridge near Jagatpur here.