- Thursday, February 27, 2025
Authorities ordered a probe into the incident which happened in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra state after a video went viral on X.
By: Shubham Ghosh
IN a bizarre incident, a bus operated by Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) was recently seen running with a partially detached rooftop, forcing the authorities to order a probe. A video of the bus speeding on the highway with its detached rooftop dangerously fluttering in the air became viral online, earning the netizens’ mockery and ire.
The bus was operating in Gadchorli district of Maharashtra, India’s richest state, according to a PTI report.
Voice of Mumbai posted the video on X, formerly Twitter, with a caption reading, “Shocking! Maharashtra State Road Transport Corp. (MSRTC) bus runs with a broken roof!”
Shocking! Maharashtra State Road Transport Corp. (MSRTC) bus runs with a broken roof!#MumbaiRains #BaarishAaGayiHai #BarishAaGayiHai #WorldCup2023 pic.twitter.com/x96BpuxAFF
— Voice of Mumbai (@GreaterMumbai) July 26, 2023
MSRTC vice chairman and managing director Shekhar Channe told PTI that the vehicle belongs to the Aheri depot in Gadchiroli district.
“A probe has been ordered into the incident. Action is being taken against the officer concerned,” he said.
According to another MSRTC official, an employee of the mechanical engineering department in Gadchiroli had been suspended over the bus’s poor maintenance.
“The crew of the bus and passengers were unaware of the broken rooftop. After people from some other vehicle pointed it out to the bus crew members, the latter asked them to shoot a video,” he said.
Netizens came up with sharp reactions expressing concerns over public safety.
One X user wrote, “First the driver and conductor for with the last depot manager should be sacked. Were they not aware of major accident to others with such condition of bus. Or if it’s sudden then stop the bus and ask for new bus to take passengers.”
Another said, “Pathetic to see the condition of state transport… Not sure if these are audited on a regular basis… Also whom to blame, the maintenance team, transport department or the driver who accepted to run it….”
There were also some funny reactions. One said, “Nice Sunroof experience for all with no extra cost.”
The MSRTC is one of the biggest public transport bodies in India with more than 15,000 buses in its fleet. It ferries around six million passengers daily.
