Union minister Ajay Tamta, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, Ajay Bhatt, Nainital MP and Congress leaders pay their deepest condolences on the tragic death of 36 passengers of Bus tragedy in Marchula, Almora

An overloaded bus with 60 passengers today fell down with a bang in a gorge while heading for Ramnagar, Uttarakhand from Kinath, Gaaulikhal.

The driver of the bus is believed to have lost control and the bus with screaming,badly terrified passengers fell down in a gorge with force at Marchula Koopi turn.

According to the latest news thirty six people have died in the accident, while many grievously injured.

Relief and rescue operation was carried out on the spot by the SDRF team, police and paramedics.

The bus was to go to Ramnagar, which belonged to the users company. The bus has fallen into the river near Saras Band.

The Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami went to the hospital in Ramnagar and met the grievously injured. While expressing his condolences and after visiting the hospital at Ram Nagar, Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami wrote on his social media handle X : Reached Ram Dutt Joshi government hospital, and enquired about the well-being of people injured in the road accident at Marchula in Almora district and took information from the doctors about their treatment. During this visited, I directed the concerned officers and doctors to provide better treatment to the injured. He also talked to their family members and assured them of all possible help including support and every possible help from the state government saying that they will stand with the families of the deceased and the injured in this hour of grief. I pray to God for the speedy recovery of the injured said the Uttarakhand CM on X.

The union minister of state for Highways and Transport Ajay Tamta while expressing his serious concern and deepest condolences said : This morning, met the people injured in the bus accident at Kupi Band near Marchula in Almora at Ram Dutt Joshi Government Combined Hospital, Ramnagar and enquired about their well-being. I express my deepest condolences to the families of the deceased wrote Ajay Tamta on his social media handle X.

The former union state minister of Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt while expressing his deepest condolences said I visited Ram Dutt Hospital in Ramnagar to enquire about the condition of the injured in the heartbreaking bus accident that took place at Marchula in Salt, Almora. I prayed for their speedy recovery.

During this, he met the family members of the people killed in the accident and consoled them.

He assured the injured and the family members of the deceased that the government is fully prepared to provide treatment to the injured on priority basis. So far, 3 injured have been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh and 3 injured have been brought to Haldwani Sushila Tiwari Hospital. As soon as we got information about this tragic incident, we immediately talked to Kumaon Commissioner, District Officer, Almora, SSP Almora and CDO, Almora including SDM Sanjay Kumar present on the spot over the phone and got complete information about the rescue said the Nainital MP and former union minister of state for defence and tourism Ajay Bhatt.

The MP from Pauri Garhwal and national incharge of BJP media Anil Baluni visited the hospital in Kashipur, met the injured and doctors instructing them to take special care of the injured. He wrote on X : Some people injured in the tragic road accident in Marchula today have been admitted to hospitals in Kashipur. After reaching the hospital in Kashipur, I enquired about the well-being of the injured and also enquired about their medical condition from the doctors. Gave instructions to the hospital doctors and local administration to provide all possible help to the injured and their families. I pray to Lord Badri Vishal for the speedy recovery of the injured said MP Anil Baluni.

The former chief minister of Uttarakhand and member CEC Harish Rawat said : After the excitement of Diwali, very sad news has come from Marchula, Salt. Many brothers and sisters have lost their lives in the bus accident, many have been injured, my condolences are with the families of the deceased and I pray that the injured get well soon and their lives are protected wrote Rawat on his social media handle.

The Congress president of Uttarakhand Karan Mahara while expressing his grief wrote : We all are deeply shocked by the news of this tragic bus accident in Salt tehsil of Almora district. Precious lives were lost in this accident, which is an irreparable loss. I offer my deepest condolences to the departed souls on my behalf and on behalf of the Uttarakhand Pradesh Congress family.

we wish the injured a speedy recovery
We wish them all the best and stand with their families during this difficult time.

Our party requests the administration that there should be no slackness in relief and rescue operations, and all possible assistance should be provided to the affected families.

Meanwhile according to the founder of SDC Foundation Dehradun Anoop Nautiyal in Uttarakhand there is one road accident death in every 8 hours in Uttarakhand

The death of 36 people in yet another tragic road accident in Uttarakhand is heartbreaking.

As a state, we continue to lose close to 1,000 people every year in road accidents. This roughly translates to one road accident death every 8 hours in our state. It must be remembered that the number of injured is significantly higher than those who are killed in road accidents.

It is noteworthy to mention that the accident severity rate i.e the number of people dead in 100 accidents is significantly higher in Uttarakhand compared to the national average. As per the latest data available for the period of 2018 to 2022 in the website of the State Transport Department in Uttarakhand, the accident severity rate in the state has ranged from a high of 71.3 in 2018 to a low of 58.36 in 2021. It is extremely concerning to add that our accident severity rate is more than double of the national average.

It is equally disheartening to note that not a single state government, whether BJP or Congress, has looked seriously at the issue of road accidents in Uttarakhand. Suspending lower level officials as in the case of the recent Almora accident is a knee jerk and immature decision, meant only to manage the headlines. We will continue to lose even more lives until the state government and its various departments do not earnestly work on the principles of 4E – engineering, emergency care, enforcement and education. Needless to add, there is a massive need to educate and make all drivers aware about road safety. Developing a culture of road safety is a herculean task that requires concerted efforts from all departments and all stakeholders, it cannot be the responsibility of the police alone.