Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, today visited Bilaspur to meet the next of kins of accident victims which took place Danoh Kunala near Bilaspur and ordered inquiry into the bus accident by the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Bilaspur and ordered suspension of Works Manager, Driver and Conductor of the HRTC bus.
Chief Minister attended the funeral of the bus accident victims at Luhnu Ground crematorium in Bilaspur and expressed his heartfelt condolences with the family members of the victims. He later visited the Zonal Hospital to enquire about the welfare of the injured and directed the authorities to provide free treatment to all the injured besides providing them and their attendants free meals. He directed the authorities to place a 52 seater HRTC bus at the disposal of next of the kin of the deceased who would be travelling to and fro, free of cost from Bilaspur to Haridwar to immerse the remains in the sacred Ganges. He said that others who would be travelling to immerse the remains of their dear departed would also be provided free travel by the State Government to and fro Bilaspur. He said that a new bus would be provided to ply on Bilaspur-Bandla route and the narrow curves would also be improved to facilitate convenient negotiation by the passenger buses.
Prof. Dhumal expressed shock over the fatal accident of the HRTC bus which had killed 27 people of the area and injured 27 others. He said that on getting the information of the accident the District Administration rushed with the relief and rescue operation team to the accident site and brought all injured to the Zonal Hospital. He said that the Transport Minister on getting the information also rushed to the accident spot to monitor relief and rehabilitation operation. He said that the district administration and team of doctors and other volunteers worked over time till late last night to retrieve all the bodies from the accident site and returned only after ascertaining that no person was left at the accident site. He said that as an immediate relief measure the district administration disbursed Rs. 10,000 to next of the kin of each of the person killed in the accident and Rs. 5,000 to the injured. He said that free transportation was provided to transport bodies of the deceased to their native places and arranged fuel wood for the cremation at Luhnu Crematorium. He said that efficient and prompt services were ensured to the families of the deceased and injured people. He said that the State Government would be considering compassionate employment to next of the kin of the employees of different departments who were travelling in the ill fated bus and succumbed to their injuries.
Chief Minister directed the district administration to ensure best of the medical services to the injured admitted in the zonal hospital besides providing them free medicines and meals till the time they remain admitted in the hospital. He said that the State Government would take further necessary action on receipt of the enquiry report and if any negligence was found on the part of other employees they would be dealt with as per the norms prescribed.
Prof. Dhumal prayed to the Almighty to grant peace to the departed souls and give strength to the bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss. He assured the aggrieved families of all possible help from the State Government and wished speedy recovery to the injured.
Shri Mahender Singh, Transport Minister, Shri R.R.Koundal, Deputy Speaker, HP Vidhan Sabha, Shri J.P.Nadda, MLA and National General Secretary of BJP, Shri Randheer Sharma, MLA, Shri Suresh Chandel, former MP, Shri Bharat Khera, Managing Director, HRTC, Shri Ritesh Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner, Shri Santosh Patial, Superintendent of Police and other prominent people of the area accompanied the Chief Minister.