Barely a month after passengers were left stranded for hours on the Samruddhi Mahamarg without food or water, Nagpur-based Sanjay Travels has once again landed in controversy.
On Friday, one of the company’s buses (MH40 CT 0957), carrying around 50 passengers including travellers from Nagpur, caught fire near the Ranjangaon Mahaganpati Temple on the Pune–Ahilyanagar highway. The vehicle was completely destroyed in the blaze.
According to reports, the bus caught fire while it was moving on the highway, triggering panic among passengers. As the flames intensified, loud explosions were heard when the tyres and diesel tank began bursting, creating alarm in the surrounding area.
Traffic on the Pune–Ahilyanagar road remained disrupted for more than two hours as police stopped vehicular movement while firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control.
Sanjay Travels attributed the fire to excess load on the alternator’s electrical lines. The company claimed that multiple passengers were simultaneously using laptop and mobile chargers connected to the charging ports provided inside the bus.
However, transport observers say the explanation raises a serious concern: if charging points are provided for passengers, the electrical systems should be capable of safely handling the load.
Experts note that modern passenger buses are expected to have proper wiring, load management systems and fire-resistant electrical components to prevent such incidents.
This is the second controversy involving the operator in recent weeks. On February 14, a bus run by the same company reportedly broke down on the Samruddhi Highway, leaving passengers stranded for several hours with minimal assistance.
Several travellers had alleged that no food or water was arranged and help arrived only after a long delay.
The latest incident has further intensified criticism, with many questioning whether adequate maintenance checks are being conducted before buses are put on the road.
Responding to the allegations, Aman Sonawane, manager of Sanjay Travels whose office is located near Bole Petrol Pump, said the driver’s quick action prevented a major tragedy.
He stated that driver Manoj Upadhyay immediately opened all emergency exits and ensured passengers safely evacuated the bus. Sonawane also claimed the driver helped remove passengers’ luggage during the emergency.
The company said a replacement bus was dispatched shortly after the incident.
Critics, however, argue that blaming passengers for using the charging facilities shifts responsibility away from the operator. Instead, they say the incident highlights the need for better wiring systems and stronger electrical safety measures in passenger buses.
With two controversies in less than a month, pressure is now mounting on authorities to closely examine the safety practices of private travel operators. For many passengers, the question remains: if basic safety systems fail, how safe are these journeys?
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