The incident, which left around 12 passengers with narrow escapes and several others critically injured, has sparked renewed calls for stringent transport safety reforms.
Grief and Outrage Over Repeated Tragedies
Expressing profound grief over the incident, Dr. Paul described the tragedy as "heartbreaking" and extended his condolences to the bereaved families while offering prayers for the injured. He raised a critical question that has been echoing across the nation: how many more innocent lives must be lost before authorities take decisive action to prevent such disasters?
Demand for Immediate Arrests and Safety Audits
Dr. Paul has called for the immediate arrest of Kaveri Travels owner Vemuri Vinod Kumar, holding him directly responsible for the safety lapses that led to this catastrophe. He further demanded that all Kaveri buses be immediately grounded until a comprehensive safety audit is completed across the entire fleet.
The activist also insisted that government officials who failed in their regulatory duties must be suspended, emphasizing that negligence at any level of oversight makes authorities equally culpable when lives are lost.
Criticism of Token Compensation and Enforcement Failures
Highlighting the pattern of repeated accidents and inadequate enforcement of safety standards, Dr. Paul strongly criticized what he called "token compensation" offered after such tragedies. He stressed that human life cannot and should not be reduced to mere financial figures of a few lakh rupees.
Instead, Dr. Paul demanded substantial compensation reflecting the true value of human life - at least ?1 crore for each family that lost a loved one and ?25 lakh for every injured passenger. He insisted this compensation must come directly from the transport company responsible.
Call for Parliamentary Action on Transport Safety
Dr. Paul has urged the government to introduce and pass a comprehensive transport safety bill in Parliament that would establish clear accountability for vehicle owners, drivers, RTO officials, and transport ministers. The proposed legislation would include stronger penalties and enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance with safety standards.
Breaking the Cycle of Negligence
The humanitarian leader emphasized that the cycle of negligence and preventable deaths will only end when bus owners, drivers, and regulatory officials are held genuinely accountable for their actions and oversights. He stressed that systemic change requires both legislative reform and consistent enforcement.
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