Dharmapuri bus driver responsible for 7 other deaths

DHARMAPURI: The driver of the TNSTC bus, N Sivakumar, 40, from Bommidi, that plunged into a 100ft gorge, near Hogenakkal in Dharmapuri district, killing nine people on Tuesday, was responsible for the deaths of seven people due to rash and negligent driving in three previous accidents.
“The first accident took place in 2013 in Bommidi, Dharmapuri district, killing two people,” said a senior official from the Dharmapuri division.Two others were killed near Salem, when Sivakumar was at the wheel, heading to Salem from Bommidi in early 2014. Later in the year, when he was driving from Salem to Trichy, he rammed a sand-laden truck, killing three people on the spot, the official said.
TNSTC officials said a driver is permitted to continue in his employment even if he has caused accidents. “A driver is terminated only if he is involved in more than three accidents. However, if a driver is involved in a big accident, where his negligence caused several fatalities, he could face severe departmental action, even if it is his first accident,” said a TNSTC official.
Similarly, a government bus can be operated continuously for seven years or five lakh kilometers, which ever comes first. Subsequently, the bus must be taken off the road.
The bus involved in the Dharmapuri accident was built in 2006. “The vehicle was fit for travelling and did not have any technical snags. We have verified our records to confirm that the bus was certified to be in service. The accident was caused only because of the driver’s negligence,” said the TNSTC official.
The officials also said they would initiate departmental action against the driver once he is discharged from the hospital. A recommendation has been made to the regional transport officials to freeze his driving license.
Meanwhile, the Hogenakkal police registered a case under section 304A (causing death by negligence) against the driver, N Sivakumar. “Preliminary investigations have revealed that the accident was caused due to the driver’s negligence. He could have averted the accident if he was alert on duty,” said a police official.