Pokhara school bus accident: Study committee determines brake failure caused accident

Published On: August 13, 2024 11:20 AM NPT By: SANDESH SHRESTHA

POKHARA, Aug 13: A recent report has concluded that brake failure was the cause behind the recent school bus accident in Pokhara.

The School Bus Accident Study Committee formed by Pokhara Metropolitan City has submitted a report with the conclusion that the bus (Ga 1 Ka 6219) belonging to LP Devkota Memorial School located in Pokhara Metropolitan City -17 had an accident due to brake failure.

On July 29, at 8:50 AM, the driver of the bus, while traveling from Ramadi in Pokhara-21 to Birauta, lost control over the vehicle on an inner road section of Gudku and met with an accident. In the accident, two people, including a mother and her child, died, and 28 others were injured.

Immediately after the accident, the metropolitan city formed a study committee under the chairmanship of Education Department Head Hem Prasad Acharya, which has submitted the report to Mayor Dhanraj Acharya of Pokhara Metropolitan City. According to the mayor's office, the report includes the cause of the accident and suggests that schools should adopt measures to prevent such accidents in the future.

The report highlights that at the time of the bus accident, there were not only students from the school but also one parent, one staff member, and five students from another school, Chhorepatan Secondary School, on the bus. Taking this situation into account, the study committee has provided several important recommendations applicable to all schools in Pokhara. Among these recommendations, it is advised that schools should not allow students from other schools, as well as parents or others, to be transported on their school buses.

The study committee has also recommended driving school buses at a lower speed. The report states, "Operate school buses at very low speeds on unpaved roads, dusty roads, winding bends, and downhill routes." The committee has advised schools to operate school buses only when necessary and to start bus operations only 1 hour and 30 minutes before the school opens, as directed by Pokhara Metropolitan City. It is also recommended to operate vehicles with awareness and caution regarding traffic rules and road safety,and that drivers should not use mobile phones while driving the bus, and that extreme caution should be taken when students are getting on or off the bus.

The study committee has recommended regular maintenance of the vehicle's brakes, steering, and tires, using only high-quality spare parts for bus repairs, and ensuring that the parking brake is well-maintained. Additionally, the report emphasizes the need to improve the quality of technical aspects and to raise awareness about adhering to traffic rules. The committee has suggested arranging traffic awareness training and workshops every six months for drivers, students, parents, school management committees, teachers, and school staff.

The study committee has also recommended improving the condition of roads and installing strong barriers (railings) along the edges of rural, winding, and downhill roads. They have suggested making recommendations to the relevant authorities for these measures. Additionally, the report advises against using extremely old and deteriorated vehicles that have failed inspection and suggests adhering to the School Bus Directive 2074 BS.

Pokhara Metropolitan City Spokesperson Motiraj Timilsina stated that the issues highlighted in the report will be implemented systematically by the metropolitan city. He mentioned that discussions have already been held with representatives from PABSON, N-PABSON, HISSAN (Higher Institutions and Secondary Schools' Association Nepal), and student organizations. "The report will not be shelved," he said. "The issues and recommendations identified will be implemented in a planned manner by the metropolitan city." He also emphasized that school buses will now have to undergo regular checks for vehicle condition and parts, old and deteriorated buses will not be allowed to operate, and buses must not start operation before the designated time, among other measures that will be strictly enforced.