TGHRC Seeks Reports on Chevella Tragedy

Hyderabad: Taking cognizance of the tragic road accident that took place near Mirjaguda in Chevella mandal of Rangareddy district on Monday, the Telangana Human Rights Commission (TGHRC) on Tuesday sought comprehensive reports from six important departments – transport, home, mines and geology, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Rangareddy district collector and Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC)).

19 people lost their lives when a gravel-laden dump truck collided head-on with a TGSRTC bus, which was submerged by small stones, on National Highway 163 in Hyderabad-Vijayapura (Bijapur).

Commission chairman Dr. Justice Shameem Akther observed that recurring accidents in the area indicate serious negligence in road safety, poor practices and infrastructure delays, which amount to violation of the Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution. Concerned officials have been instructed to submit factual and action-based reports by 11 am on December 15.

According to preliminary findings, it was stated that the impact of the collision caused the tipper to overturn, passengers were trapped under gravel and caused instant deaths. Often described as the “death corridor”, the Chevella-Tandur line has witnessed numerous fatal accidents due to poor road conditions, lack of dividers, excessive speeding, overloading and delay in widening works.

The Commission noted that serious administrative failures, failure of enforcement agencies and lack of accountability among ministries resulted in repeated violations of citizens’ Rights to Life and Security.

Given the recurring deaths and ongoing infrastructure neglect on NH-163, the commission decided that the issue warranted intervention. Therefore, it took notice of the matter and directed the authorities concerned to submit detailed and comprehensive reports for further investigation.