Fri Nov 15 14:58:37 UTC 2024: ## West Bengal Takes Action After Fatal Bus Accident Claims Child’s Life

**Kolkata, India -** The West Bengal Transport Department has taken swift action following the tragic death of an 11-year-old child in a bus accident in Kolkata this week. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday when a speeding bus struck a scooter carrying the child, sparked widespread protests and renewed concerns about road safety in the city.

The incident highlighted the dangers posed by public transport in Kolkata, with citizens pointing to a string of similar accidents in recent years. In response, the state government and Kolkata police held an emergency meeting to address the issue.

Transport Minister Snehasis Chakraborty announced a range of measures, including a fixed salary system for bus drivers, to replace the current commission-based system which is believed to contribute to rash driving. He also declared that any driver involved in a fatal accident resulting from reckless driving would be charged with murder.

The meeting also saw former State Transport Minister and Kolkata Municipal Corporation Mayor Firhad Hakim call for the implementation of a Standard Operating System for all drivers, with license revocation for those failing to comply. GPS systems are also to be installed on buses to track their movements.

These initiatives come in the wake of a series of fatal accidents involving buses, lorries, and trucks in Kolkata. In August 2023, a class two student was killed by a lorry, leading to violent protests. Similarly, a class seven girl was killed in February 2024 after being hit by a truck.

The latest accident has brought the issue of road safety in West Bengal into sharp focus. According to Government of India data, the state ranks 11th in terms of road accident fatalities, with 2,938 pedestrians and 863 two-wheeler riders killed in 2022 alone.

While the West Bengal government launched a ‘Safe Drive. Save Life’ campaign in 2016, the implementation has been challenging, particularly when it comes to public transport. The recent tragedy underscores the need for decisive action to improve road safety and prevent further loss of life.

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