BMTC buses in the city need new fire extinguishers, refilled with gas. The bus drivers and conductors say they need to be trained in using them.
The fire extinguishers in Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation(BMTC) are either outdated or are running out of gas, with no training provided to the bus drivers and conductor.
Out of 6381 BMTC buses roughly 3000 buses have fire extinguishers; the rest are yet to be installed, said the Chief Executive Engineer of BMTC.
Rajalaxmi, a daily commuter said, “I have seen fire extinguishers in many buses but those are usually rusty and old. I always wonder if they even work or not as it concerns the safety of passengers.”
Section 167 of Karnataka Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989 states that , every public service vehicle other than a motor cab should be equipped with one or more fire extinguishers. Additionally, the Karnataka State Transport Authority has said that the fire extinguishers should be at all times be maintained and in working condition.
Manjunath, a driver of BMTC bus said, “My bus has two fire extinguishers; one under my seat which is very old and another one on the seat behind me, both are very old and I doubt if they even work.”
Babu, conductor of a different bus said, “I don’t know how to use the fire extinguisher because nobody taught us. Last year we were trained to used them, but then after the gas ran out, I didn’t know where to get it refilled.”
“Every year the city reports at least five to eight fire incidents in BMTC buses and we are trying our best to reduce the number in the upcoming years,” said the Chief Executive Engineer.
Sunitha Jain, Public Relation Officer of BMTC said, “The installation of fire extinguishers in buses is what we are dealing with, and also trying to complete as soon as possible. We also conduct training sessions for the safety measures every year for the prevention of such incidents.”
Yashvanth Kumar, Deputy Chief Mechanical Engineer of BMTC said, “The buses have a fitness certificate that is renewed every year and we ensure if the buses have fire extinguishers or not, and if the bus is running out of gas then it is the responsibility of the bus conductor and driver to report in the depot for refilling it.”
An official from the Karnataka State Fire and Emergency Department said, “The BMTC buses are the most used public transport, providing safety concern is priority and not just BMTC but all the buses should have proper fire safety measures and equipment.”
He also said, “The city is already witnessing so many fire accidents, hoping to not witness more.”
Kumar, professor at the 3S Life Safe Akademie said, “If the fire extinguishers are old and rusting then they to get rid of it.”
The buses should have at least two fire extinguishers of dry chemical powder and should be kept near the driver’s seat. One fire blanket of two meters should also be provided to all public transport, he added.
