Chevella Bus Accident: Centre, State Announce Ex-Gratia

The tragic Chevella bus accident that claimed 19 lives and left several others injured has prompted both the State and Union governments to announce ex-gratia for the victims' families.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep grief over the loss of lives in the Rangareddy district mishap and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for each of those injured, from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

"The loss of lives due to a mishap in Rangareddy district of Telangana is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured," the PM wrote on X.

Vice-President C P Radhakrishnan also expressed anguish over the tragedy, describing it as "deeply distressing". Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma also conveyed condolences and directed the State government to ensure immediate medical attention to the injured and necessary assistance for the victims' families.

Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar announced that the State government had ordered an inquiry into the accident. He also said that Chief Minister Revanth Reddy had declared an ex-gratia of Rs 7 lakh for the families of each of the deceased and Rs 2 lakh for each of the injured.

Prabhakar, along with minister Sridhar Babu, MLAs and other public representatives, visited the injured at Patnam Mahender Reddy Medical College Hospital and reviewed their conditions.

Speaking to the media later, Prabhakar said that the government required public cooperation to strengthen road safety measures. "The Roads and Buildings Department is identifying accident-prone black spots across Telangana, and the Transport Department will take strict action on vehicles not at the requisite levels of fitness. We will investigate the incident and act against those responsible," he said.

Sridhar Babu said that the government stood firmly with every affected family and that the injured were receiving the best possible medical care. "The Chief Minister immediately responded after learning of the incident, alerted ministers and officials, and has been constantly monitoring the relief measures," he said.

He added that the Chief Secretary, the DGP and the entire administrative machinery were mobilised for rescue and relief operations. A magisterial inquiry and departmental investigation had been ordered to determine the exact cause of the accident, he said.