GDC bus accident: Probe ordered into use of decade-old bus in student trip

Kashmir Happenings

Posted by admin_kas on 2025-04-12 20:59:28 | Last Updated by admin_kas on 2025-07-08 13:24:47

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Meer  Javeed

Kupwara, Apr 12: A fun-filled educational trip turned into a tragedy in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Saturday after a bus carrying students of Government Degree College Sogam met with a fatal accident at Vadpora Handwara, leaving two young students dead and at least 25 others, including a lecturer and college staff, injured.

Reports said that the students had boarded four buses in the morning, heading towards the tourist destination Pahalgam.

The trip was part of a recreational college tour organized by the Sogam college.

Among the four buses, one was requisitioned from Government Degree College Handwara (bearing registration number JK09-6733), while the other two were provided by institutions in Kupwara district.

Tragedy struck when the Handwara college bus, carrying 27 occupants including students and staff, skidded off the road and overturned in the Vadpora area.

The crash left 23 students and 4 employees injured, including a lecturer from south Kashmir’s Pulwama district and a sweeper from Sogam.

One student, identified as Asia Rashid, died on the spot, while another, Mymoona Akhtar, succumbed to her injuries later at SMHS Hospital in Srinagar.

Three critically injured students were referred to SKIMS Srinagar for specialized treatment. The remaining injured were admitted to Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara, where several remain under observation.

The incident triggered widespread grief and concern across the district. In response, a high-level emergency meeting was convened at the Additional Deputy Commissioner’s (ADC) office in Handwara, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Kupwara, to assess the situation and order a comprehensive probe into the circumstances leading to the accident.

During the meeting, stress was laid on holding a complete inquiry into the incident to ascertain whether negligence or technical failure played a role.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Traffic Handwara, Wajahat Ahmad, told the news agency Kashmir News Trust that the ill-fated bus was a 2011 model and had valid documentation.

Another official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that investigators would also examine whether the mandatory speed governor device had been installed in the vehicle.

In the wake of the tragedy, there has been a growing outcry from civil society members and concerned citizens, who have urged the administration to initiate a complete audit of school and college transport fleets.

Demands have also been made for the installation of speed limiters in all educational institution vehicles and a blanket ban on the use of outdated or unfit buses and vans for student transportation.

The district administration has assured the public that the matter is being taken seriously and that strict action will follow if any lapses are found.

Meanwhile, the college administration has suspended academic activities for the next few days as a mark of mourning. 

An official source confirmed that a formal inquiry has been launched and responsibility will be fixed once the investigation is complete.

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