NHRC summons Punjab chief Secy over Tarn Taran bus tragedy; had flagged serious safety risks

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a conditional summons to the Punjab government over "serious safety violations" in buses operating under the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana.

The summons was issued by a Bench presided over by member Priyank Kanoongo to the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab.

Five people were killed, and 16 others sustained injuries after two buses carrying pilgrims collided head-on on the Tarn Taran-Bathinda National Highway near Naushehra Pannuan village in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district on Saturday.

The NHRC, in a press statement on Saturday, said that in its earlier proceedings, it had flagged recurring fatal accidents involving passenger and sleeper buses, structural deficiencies and violations of CIRT guidelines, and had called for urgent preventive measures.

"A subsequent complaint by the Network for Access to Justice & Multidisciplinary Outreach Foundation highlighted serious safety concerns in buses deployed under Punjab’s Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana, including alleged unauthorised structural modifications, obstruction of emergency exits, and deficiencies in fire safety and emergency evacuation arrangements," it said.

The NHRC had directed the Punjab government to inspect all buses operating under the scheme and immediately withdraw vehicles that failed to meet mandatory safety standards.

"However, the state government failed to demonstrate effective action on these directions," the statement mentioned.

The NHRC said that despite the specific and time-bound directions of the Commission, the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, "has not submitted the requisite Action Taken Report. No report indicating the inspections conducted, safety deficiencies identified, corrective measures undertaken or accountability fixed has been received from the State Government till date."

"The subsequent collision between two buses under the same scheme in Tarn Taran on 14 November 2026, resulting in four reported deaths and injuries to around 30 people, has brought these concerns into sharp focus," it added.

Taking serious note of the continued non-compliance and the reported tragedy, the Commission deplored the "lackadaisical approach of the authorities" and issued a conditional summons to the Chief Secretary, Punjab, directing him to appear before the Commission.

"The Commission observed that ensuring the safety of passengers, particularly senior citizens and other vulnerable persons travelling under a Government-sponsored welfare scheme, is a direct responsibility of the State and the competent regulatory authorities. Such schemes cannot be implemented at the cost of human life, and compliance with mandatory vehicle safety standards cannot be reduced to a mere procedural formality. The continued failure to respond to the Commission's directions, particularly when the very risks highlighted in the complaint have now reportedly culminated in a fatal accident, is viewed with utmost seriousness," the NHRC statement said.

The NHRC has directed the Chief Secretary to submit details of bus inspections, safety compliance, corrective measures, action against non-compliant vehicles and a detailed report on the Tarn Taran accident. "Failure to submit comprehensive reports by the stipulated deadline will require the Chief Secretary to appear before the Commission. The Commission has reiterated that passenger safety, particularly that of senior citizens and other vulnerable persons, is the direct responsibility of the State and regulatory authorities," it said.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

IANS

[email protected]