A video of a state-run bus in Tamil Nadu with its roof coming apart has gone viral on social media. The video footage captured from the spot shows a Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC)-owned bus (Registration number TN 38 N2769) parked on the side of a road. A sheet of metal – the roof of the bus – is being pulled by the conductor and the driver, as other watch on.  

The incident took place on Thursday near Pollachi. The bus with around 20 passengers was on its way to Pollachi in Coimbatore district from Vadakkipalayam, which is around 12 kilometres away. When the bus was nearing Kongunattanpudhur pirivu, the roof came off due to the heavy wind in the region. Seeing the mishap, the driver immediately halted the vehicle and asked the passengers to get down from the bus. Nobody was hurt in the incident.

Speaking to TNM, Abraham, the Managing Director of TNSTC Coimbatore said that the incident was unfortunate and necessary action has already been initiated against the erring official.

“That particular bus belongs to Pollachi section and had received its fitness certificate renewal two months ago. After we came to know of this incident, we conducted inquiries in the department. It has been found that the fitness check was not properly done. We have identified the officer behind this mistake and he has been suspended,” he said.

This is not the first incident to reveal the poor condition of TNSTC’s buses. In October 2018, TNSTC suspended a driver for making a video about the poor condition of the bus he was driving. He had spoken about the shoddy condition of the bus by showing how rainwater leaks into the bus. After media pressure, TNSTC revoked the suspension the next day.