Team Herald
PANJIM: The Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL) has called for experts from two automobile companies to determine the cause of the two bus fires. The Corporation has also decided to do away with fibre-made drivers’ cabins and instead revert to aluminium or steel, being far more resistant to fire.
“We have summoned experts from Ashok Leyland and Tata Motors (being bus chassis manufacturers) to investigate whether the fire incidents were due to technical fault or manmade error. Further action will accordingly be taken,” KTCL MD Derrick Pereira Neto told Herald. In a span of one month, two KTCL buses plying on different routes caught fire near Agassaim police station and next to Goa Medical College. The occupants had a narrow escape in both the incidents.
Sources said that while the rest part of the buses is made of fire resistant material, the drivers’ cabins are fibre-made as these were advantageous of some sought. However, with the recent incidents of fire, the KTCL is taking no chance and going back to the old material – aluminium or steel – for use in manufacturing this automotive body.
“Even a small spark catches fire in fire-made automotive body and being more combustible we have decided that new buses, especially those used for school children will be of aluminium or steel,” Neto stated.
The recently procured fleet of 100 buses have drivers’ cabins made of fire resistant material, the 250-odd buses, which are eight years and above, will have fire precautionary equipment henceforth. “Instructions are given to the concerned to fit fire extinguisher,” he said adding that the officials are also asked to ensure that school buses also have a middle door which could be also used as emergency exit in case of eventuality.
