Udaipur : A major accident was averted on Sunday morning when a moving sleeper coach bus caught fire on the Banswara–Udaipur highway in the Jhallara area of Salumber district. The bus, which was travelling from Banswara to Udaipur, was completely gutted in the incident.
According to information, the fire broke out around 6 am near Garda village under the Jhallara police station limits. Eyewitnesses said the bus was moving at normal speed when smoke was suddenly seen coming out. Within moments, flames spread rapidly and engulfed the entire vehicle.
Showing presence of mind, the driver immediately stopped the bus on the roadside. The driver, cleaner and other passengers quickly got down and managed to save their lives. Soon after, the bus was completely surrounded by flames and was reduced to ashes. Only the iron structure of the vehicle remained.
On receiving information, Jhallara Station Officer Jai Kishan Phulwariya reached the spot with his team. Police stopped traffic on both sides of the road as a safety measure. Due to the intensity of the fire, it could not be controlled locally. Fire brigade vehicles were called from Salumber, and after considerable effort, firefighters brought the blaze under control.
The incident led to a complete halt of traffic on the Banswara–Udaipur route for nearly two hours. Vehicles were stopped at a distance due to the burning bus and heavy smoke, resulting in long queues on both ends of the highway. Passengers and commuters remained stuck in the jam for around one-and-a-half to two hours.
Police are investigating whether the fire was caused by a short circuit or any other technical fault. Efforts were made to clear the road by removing the burnt bus with the help of a crane.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
