Mathura: A major accident was narrowly avoided on the Yamuna Expressway late Friday night after a private bus travelling from Delhi to Chhatarpur suddenly caught fire near Milestone 110 in the Raya police station area. The incident triggered panic among passengers, but the driver managed to stop the vehicle on the roadside, allowing around 40 people to escape safely. No casualties were reported, although most of the passengers’ belongings were destroyed in the fire.
According to information, the bus operated by Khajuraho Travels had departed from Kashmere Gate in Delhi and was heading towards Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh. While travelling along the expressway, the vehicle suddenly caught fire, which quickly spread across the bus.
Seeing flames rising from the vehicle, passengers were gripped by panic. The driver, Jitendra, a resident of Nowgong in Madhya Pradesh, immediately stopped the bus, allowing everyone on board to get out and move to a safe location.
Firefighters battle blaze for nearly an hour
Following the incident, the Yamuna Expressway fire response team rushed to the location. Fire tenders from Mant Toll and Mathura also reached the spot and worked for nearly an hour before bringing the blaze under control.
The intensity of the fire left most of the luggage carried by passengers completely destroyed. Although everyone escaped safely, the loss of personal belongings added to their distress.
Passengers raise questions over police response
Following the incident, some passengers expressed dissatisfaction with the police response, alleging that personnel reached the spot several hours after the fire broke out. The delay reportedly triggered anger among those travelling on the bus.
Short circuit suspected as cause of fire
CO Mant Amarnath Yadav said authorities received information about a bus fire near Milestone 110 in the Raya police station area while the vehicle was travelling from Delhi to Chhatarpur.
He stated that patrolling vehicles, police personnel and other responders reached the location and helped evacuate all passengers safely. Fire tenders from Mant Toll and Mathura subsequently brought the blaze under control.
The officer confirmed that all passengers were rescued without injuries or loss of life.
