Mangaluru: No brake failure in Talapadi bus accident – KSRTC clarifies

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, August 30, 2025: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has clarified that there was no brake failure in the KSRTC bus-auto accident at Talapadi on Thursday, which claimed six lives.

On August 28, the bus numbered KA 19 F 3407 of Mangaluru–1st Division, driven by Nijaligappa Chalavadi, was operating on the Mangaluru–Kasargod route. Around 1:45 PM near the Talapadi toll on a downhill stretch, the bus was driven at high speed. In an attempt to avoid hitting an auto-rickshaw, the driver applied the brakes. Despite this, the bus collided with the auto, which resulted in a fatal accident. Two passengers in the auto died on the spot, and four others, including the auto driver, were seriously injured and admitted to Yenepoya Hospital, where they later succumbed to their injuries.

The KSRTC driver reportedly fled the scene in panic, causing the bus to skid backward and strike two pedestrians who were waiting near the road, in addition to the auto.

Following some misinformation circulating on social media regarding the management of the KSRTC vehicle, the corporation issued the following clarifications:

All KSRTC vehicles are covered under an internal insurance policy as per Karnataka Government orders.

The families of the deceased auto passengers have been provided emergency/interim compensation of Rs 1 lakh each from the accident relief fund.

The two injured pedestrians were admitted to a private hospital, and all medical expenses will be borne by KSRTC.

The bus had its FC (Fitness Certificate) renewed on August 26 and held a valid RTO fitness certificate. It had been deployed on the Mangaluru–Kasargod route on August 27 and completed approximately 540 km over 9 trips before the accident occurred on the 10th trip. Technical inspection at the accident site confirmed the vehicle was in proper working condition. After the accident, another driver transported the vehicle to the police station.

Senior divisional controllers of KSRTC, Mangaluru, stated that the accident was caused solely due to the driver’s high speed and negligence, and there was no brake failure or technical defect in the vehicle.