New Delhi, November 15 (Yes Punjab News)
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a conditional summons to the Punjab Chief Secretary over alleged serious safety violations in buses operating under the Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana, saying earlier warnings and directions had not been effectively acted upon.
The summons was issued by a Bench presided over by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo.
Five people were killed and 16 injured when two buses carrying pilgrims collided head-on on the Tarn Taran-Bathinda National Highway near Naushehra Pannuan village in Tarn Taran district on Saturday.
In a statement, the NHRC said it had earlier flagged recurring fatal accidents involving passenger and sleeper buses, structural deficiencies and violations of CIRT guidelines, and had called for urgent preventive measures.
A subsequent complaint by the Network for Access to Justice & Multidisciplinary Outreach Foundation raised concerns over buses deployed under Punjab’s Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana. These included alleged unauthorised structural modifications, obstructed emergency exits and deficiencies in fire safety and evacuation arrangements.
The Commission had directed the Punjab government to inspect all buses operating under the scheme and immediately withdraw vehicles that did not meet mandatory safety standards.
However, the NHRC said the state government had failed to submit the required Action Taken Report. It said no details had been received about inspections, safety deficiencies identified, corrective measures or accountability fixed.
Taking note of the reported collision involving two buses under the scheme on November 14, 2026, the Commission expressed serious concern over the continued non-compliance and what it described as the authorities’ “lackadaisical approach”.
The NHRC said passenger safety, particularly that of senior citizens and other vulnerable people travelling under government-sponsored welfare schemes, was the direct responsibility of the state and regulatory authorities. It stressed that such schemes could not be implemented at the cost of human life and that mandatory vehicle safety standards could not be treated as a procedural formality.
The Commission has directed the Chief Secretary to submit details of bus inspections, safety compliance, corrective measures, action against vehicles found non-compliant and a detailed report on the Tarn Taran accident.
It said failure to submit comprehensive reports within the stipulated deadline would require the Chief Secretary to appear before the Commission.
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