Tamil Nadu’s state-run bus system is facing fresh safety concerns after transport union representatives alleged that substandard spare parts, particularly tyres, are contributing to repeated breakdowns and accidents involving government buses. The allegations come amid claims that more than 20,000 buses carry about 2.03 crore passengers every day across the state.
The report, published by Dinamalar, cited union representatives who said poor-quality components were affecting bus maintenance and putting passengers at risk. They alleged that the Tamil Nadu transport department had not taken adequate action despite a fatal accident last year involving a government express bus travelling from Tiruchirappalli to Chennai.
According to the report, the bus suffered a front-tyre burst and crashed, killing seven people. The union representatives further claimed that hundreds of government buses had been involved in tyre-burst accidents over the following six months. The report did not provide an official accident tally or a response from the state transport department.
A more recent incident cited in the report involved a government bus travelling from Kumily to Nagercoil. Its front tyre reportedly burst while the bus was on the road. The driver’s handling of the vehicle was credited with preventing passenger fatalities, according to the union representatives quoted in the report.
The allegations point to a wider maintenance and procurement concern in a bus network that serves a large share of Tamil Nadu’s daily mobility demand. State transport undertakings depend on regular inspections, replacement parts and maintenance systems to keep buses in service. A failure in any of these areas can affect both operational reliability and passenger safety, although the report did not establish which specific component suppliers or procurement decisions were responsible.
The union representatives called for a comprehensive inspection of spare parts currently held in stock and the removal of components found to be below standard. They also sought a government inquiry into possible irregularities in spare-parts procurement over the past five years and action against those found responsible.
They further demanded stronger monitoring systems to ensure that quality standards are maintained in bus-safety-related procurement and maintenance. The report did not state whether the government had ordered such an inspection, initiated an inquiry or announced any changes to its procurement procedures.
The state transport department’s response, along with an independently verified count of tyre-related incidents and details of any inspections or corrective measures, will determine the extent of the safety issue and the next steps for Tamil Nadu’s public bus network.
