No Headlights, Conductor's Torch Guides MSRTC Bus For 20 KM In Beed's Ashti

In a concerning incident, a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus operated in total darkness for over 20 kilometers on Friday evening, following a failure of its headlights. The bus, carrying passengers and labeled 'Lal Pari' (MH-20-BL-2055), had departed from Kada around 6pm on its scheduled night-halt service to Savargaon. As the bus approached Suleman Deola in Ashti tehsil, the driver attempted to switch on the headlights, only to find them unresponsive due to an electrical issue.

Trapped in the dark, the driver and conductor were left without a traditional source of illumination. Reluctant to leave the bus stranded on an unlit road, they opted to continue the journey using a battery-powered torch. A few locals, familiar with the route, agreed to this risky arrangement rather than waiting in the darkness. The conductor guided the driver by holding a torch beside the driver's cabin, while the driver maneuvered the vehicle through Mhasobachi Wadi, Gahukhel, Tagadkhel, Velturi, and Gangadevi.

The harrowing trek finally ended around 7:30pm when the bus reached Savargaon after the 20-kilometer dark stretch. The ordeal left the 10 passengers onboard feeling fortunate to reach their destination. The incident has sparked public outrage over the safety of commuters and the standards of vehicle maintenance at the Ashti depot.

Local social activist Amol Salve questioned the adequacy of pre-trip lighting checks and electrical inspections. Ashti Depot Manager Anil Nikalje stated that they are investigating the circumstances of the bus' operation and will take appropriate action based on their findings.