Hyderabad: Buses ply sans first-aid kits, RTA says ‘will conduct checks’

HYDERABAD: The absence of first-aid kits in Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) buses has been a long-standing issue, with several buses running with empty kits or kits filled with items other than those prescribed by the Central Motor Vehicle Act.
While the Motor Vehicle Act of both the state and the Centre mandate availability of first-aid boxes in passenger vehicles including school buses, about 3,600 TSRTC buses plying in the city do not have these kits.

“There is a reason why every new vehicle, including two-wheelers, come along with a first-aid kit. TSRTC and RTA officials should make sure that all passenger-carrying vehicles have a first-aid kit,” said M Dayanand, Telangana Auto and Motor Vehicle Association.
As per the Central Motor Vehicle Act, the first-aid kit must contain antiseptic cream, gauze, antiseptic liquid, elastic, and waterproof plaster and bandage for wounds and burns, sterilized dressings and tincture iodine. The Act also specifies that the bus conductor must undergo a week-long training in first-aid prior to availing licence and needs to renew it every three years.
Admitting that first-aid kits were absent in many buses, a TSRTC official, under the condition of anonymity, said that they would soon ensure that all buses carried first-aid kits.
As per rules, vehicles are to be issued a fitness certificate by the Road Transport Authority (RTA) only what they are fully-equipped with all prescribed amenities, which includes the first-aid kit.
C Ramesh, the joint deputy commissioner, RTA, said that they do check if the buses are equipped with kits while conducting fitness checks. “The first-aid kits are mandatory and all buses including RTC and school buses are supposed to install them. We will soon conduct checks to see if they are flouting rules,” said Ramesh.