Chandigarh: A potentially serious accident was avoided in Chandigarh on Saturday after an electric bus suffered a mechanical failure while carrying passengers, causing both tyres to detach during the journey. The driver managed to stop the vehicle safely, ensuring that no injuries were reported.
The incident occurred when the electric bus was operating on its scheduled route between Ram Darbar and Maloya, passing through the Sector 46-47 stretch. Around 15 passengers were travelling in the bus when the unexpected malfunction took place.
According to eyewitnesses, a loud sound was heard before the bus became unstable as the tyres separated from the vehicle. Despite the sudden jolt, the driver remained calm and immediately brought the bus to a controlled halt, preventing the situation from turning into a major road accident.
Passengers were safely evacuated from the vehicle, and no casualties or injuries were reported. Traffic in the area was briefly affected until the damaged bus was removed from the road.
The incident has once again raised concerns over the operational safety and maintenance standards of Chandigarh’s electric bus fleet. Residents pointed out that similar technical failures involving e-buses have surfaced in the past, including reports of mechanical defects and road accidents linked to vehicle malfunction.
Transport department officials have initiated an inquiry into the incident to determine the exact reason behind the tyre assembly failure. The bus has been taken out of service for a detailed technical inspection, while authorities are expected to examine maintenance records and assess whether additional safety checks are required across the city’s electric bus fleet.
Officials have assured that appropriate action will be taken if negligence or a mechanical defect is found responsible for the incident, with passenger safety remaining the department’s top priority.