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The V Kaveri Travels bus that met with a fatal accident near Kurnool district, claiming several lives, was registered in Rayagada district of Odisha, according to Telangana Transport Department officials.
The bus was travelling from Bengaluru to Hyderabad when the mishap occurred on early Friday (October 24, 2025).
Also read: Kurnool bus accident LIVE updates
Officials said the bus, bearing registration number DD 01 N 9490, had accumulated e-challans to the tune of ₹23,120 for violations such as overspeeding, driving on the wrong side of the road, and obstruction of the carriageway.
“Since the bus is registered in Rayagada, Odisha, our administrative role is limited. However, we will be extending all logistical and inter-departmental support required,” a senior transport department official said.
The official added that once an investigation is initiated, authorities typically verify whether any unauthorised modifications were made to the vehicle, including additional seating or obstructed exits, although such alterations are now few and far between.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the department is likely to initiate a review of private transport operators to check the validity of fitness, pollution, insurance, and permit documents.
“A thorough review of all private bus operators may be taken up in the coming days,” the official said.
The accident evoked grim memories of the 2013 Mahbubnagar bus fire, in which 45 passengers were charred to death in a little over 10 minutes while travelling from Bengaluru to Hyderabad. The investigation in that case revealed that the bus, a Volvo, caught fire after a portion of a culvert struck the battery compartment, igniting the fuel tanks and trapping passengers due to an obstructed exit.
Officials noted that both road design and vehicle design are examined in detail during such probes to prevent recurrence of similar incidents.
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