HRTC Bus Accident in Chamba District A severe accident involving an HRTC bus occurred in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh on May 2, 2026, when the vehicle suffered a technical malfunction on the Dhulada route. The incident unfolded as the bus was ascending a steep incline, where it abruptly stalled and began reversing. The driver, demonstrating quick thinking, steered the vehicle toward a hillside to prevent it from plunging into a ravine. This decisive action saved the lives of 35 passengers, though several others sustained injuries. Eyewitness accounts describe the chaos at the scene. The bus, carrying approximately 35 passengers, came to a halt mid-ascent, then reversed unexpectedly. The driver’s immediate decision to redirect the vehicle toward the hillside resulted in a collision that halted the bus’s descent. The impact triggered panic among the passengers and nearby villagers, leading to widespread fear and confusion. Local residents, already frustrated by the poor condition of the road, expressed anger over the incident, demanding stricter safety measures and accountability from authorities. Authorities responded swiftly. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Chamba, Prayagshu Khachi, and the Revenue Officer (RM), Sulg Kumar, arrived at the scene to address the situation. Khachi assured the villagers that their concerns would be taken seriously, while Kumar confirmed that the bus’s pipe had burst, causing the technical failure. However, Kumar admitted that the delay in responding to the incident was due to a missed phone call, which hindered timely action. Passengers who survived the incident shared their accounts. A woman on board revealed that the bus’s brakes had failed, prompting the driver to act decisively.#hrtc #chamba_district #dhulada_route #prayagshu_khachi #sulg_kumar
