Copyright timesnownews
Hyderabad: A major road accident in Telangana’s Chevella mandal of Ranga Reddy district killed at least 17 people early on Sunday after a truck carrying gravel collided with a state-run RTC bus on the Hyderabad–Bijapur Highway. The impact of the crash caused the truck’s load to fall on the bus, trapping and killing several passengers. According to police, the incident occurred when the gravel-laden truck rammed into the RTC bus near Khanapur Gate around dawn. “The truck was carrying a load of gravel. As of now, we can confirm that 16 people including the truck driver and several bus passengers died in the accident,” the ACP said. Rajendranagar DCP Yogesh Goutam added that the cause of the collision is still being investigated. “We have to verify whether the accident occurred while the truck driver was attempting to overtake or if he was driving in the wrong direction,” he said. There were around 40 passengers onboard the bus at the time of the crash. The DCP stated, “The accident occurred on Bijapur highway. We are removing the bodies and the injured from the bus and shifting them to hospitals. Traffic is being diverted on both sides.” CM Revanth Reddy Expresses GriefTelangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and directed officials to carry out immediate relief operations. In a statement posted by the Telangana CMO on X, it said, “CM Revanth Reddy expressed grief over the road accident that took place in Chevella mandal of Rangareddy district. The CM instructed the officials to immediately reach the spot and take necessary relief measures. The CM ordered that the complete details of the accident be informed from time to time. The Chief Minister has ordered the CS and DGP to immediately evacuate all those injured in the bus accident to Hyderabad and make arrangements to provide them with better medical treatment. The CM has asked the available ministers to immediately reach the accident site.” Minister Sridhar Babu Monitors Rescue Telangana IT and Industries Minister Duddilla Sridhar Babu also expressed shock and ordered senior officials to supervise the rescue efforts on-site. Upon receiving the information, he “immediately alerted the district collector, police officials, and senior officers of concerned departments. He sought a detailed report on how the accident occurred and the present condition of the injured.” The minister instructed the Medical and Health Department to ensure the best possible treatment for the victims at Chevella Government Hospital. He also held a teleconference with district authorities to review rescue and relief operations. “He further directed officials overseeing the rescue operations to reassure the victims and their families that the government stands firmly by them,” an official statement said. “He instructed that complete information about every injured person must be promptly communicated to their family members.” Confirming the tragedy, Chevella Police stated, “A road accident occurred between a TGSRTC bus and a truck near Khanapur Gate, under the Chevella police station limits. Several passengers are injured, and more details are yet to be known. This incident happened early this morning. We reached the spot, and further details will be provided later.” Rescue operations are ongoing as authorities continue to remove debris from the site and transport the injured to hospitals in Chevella and Hyderabad. Traffic diversions remain in place along the Bijapur Highway.
