Greater Noida Sleeper Bus Fire: In a horrific tragedy late Wednesday night, at least nine passengers including eight men and one woman lost their lives, while several others suffered injuries after a double-decker private sleeper bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway near Jewar.
The vehicle, operated by Raj Kalpana Travels, was carrying around 30 to 35 passengers from Delhi’s Kashmere Gate toward Mahoba, Uttar Pradesh, when the blaze erupted around 11:30 PM near the 33-kilometer milestone.
According to initial statements released by Gautam Buddh Nagar Police, the inferno spread with devastating speed, filling the enclosed passenger compartment with toxic smoke while most travelers were fast asleep.
While multiple survivors managed to smash window panes or jump to safety, nine occupants were trapped inside and succumbed to fatal burns and asphyxiation.
Allegations of Gross Negligence: Warnings Ignored by Crew
Greater Noida Sleeper Bus Fire: According to media reports citing a First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Jewar Police Station, the incident has drawn severe scrutiny over the alleged conduct of the bus driver and conductor.
The FIR, lodged on a complaint by survivor Suneel Kumar, details that passengers began noticing a distinct burning smell emanating from the front cabin area shortly after crossing the 33-km mark on the expressway.
When passengers raised an alarm and urged the crew to halt the vehicle and inspect the source, the driver reportedly brushed off their concerns, dismissing the smell as routine.
Furthermore, according to the official complaint cited in news reports, the driver and conductor continued smoking bidis in the driver’s cabin despite warnings.
When passengers repeatedly demanded that the bus be stopped immediately, the crew allegedly refused to pull over, dismissing the warning with hostile remarks.
Moments later, flames reportedly broke out near the engine dashboard and driver’s seat, rapidly engulfing the front cabin and spreading through the gangway.
Preliminary Investigations & Technical Breakdown
Greater Noida Sleeper Bus Fire: According to statements from local police authorities, four fire tenders and emergency response units were rushed to the site near Dayanatpur village.
Emergency responders evacuated 20 to 25 trapped passengers and rushed the injured to Kailash Hospital in Jewar for immediate medical care.
Regarding the technical trigger, police officials indicated that initial evidence points toward a severe electrical short circuit or air-conditioning compressor unit failure.
According to news reports quoting Greater Noida Police representatives, a spark or minor explosion in the AC unit likely ignited circulating engine lubricating oil, creating a rapid thermal buildup that swept through the interior materials within minutes.
Forensic inspection teams have been deployed to analyze the charred skeletal frame of the bus, check the vehicle’s fitness certification, and evaluate whether statutory fire safety apparatus and emergency exits were operational.
State & Central Government Relief Assistance
Greater Noida Sleeper Bus Fire: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed profound grief over the loss of lives and directed district authorities to oversee prompt relief measures and ensure high-quality medical treatment for all hospitalized victims.
The Chief Minister’s Office announced financial ex-gratia relief of ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased passenger and ₹50,000 for those undergoing treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condoled the deaths and announced additional financial support of ₹2 lakh for the bereaved families and ₹50,000 for the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF).
According to the police, both the driver and the conductor have been taken into custody as investigation proceeds under provisions relating to culpable negligence and safety violations.
Also Read: UP Law and Order: How Uttar Pradesh Redefined Its Policing Model Post-2017