PERAMBALUR: A female student sustained severe injuries after falling off the footboard of an overcrowded government bus on Monday. Students and relatives have linked the incident that happened near Nakka Salem in the district to a lack of enough bus facilities.
D Vijayalakshmi (16), hailing from Echampatti village, is a class 11 student in a government higher secondary school in Nakka Salem. On Monday morning, she boarded the 7A bus from Padalur to Thuraiyur to go to school as usual.
Owing to the crowd, she stood on the footboard of the bus and fell off when it approached near the school in Nakkasalem, sustaining injuries on her left leg and right hand.
The bus halted and the locals and passengers rushed her to Perambalur GH by 108 ambulance for treatment.
Later, fellow students and others staged protest against the bus driver, the conductor and the school teacher who were standing there. Later, they escaped from there.
Reportedly, over 75 students from Pudur, Palaiya and Pudu Viralipatti Echampatti, Pudu Ammapalayam and Nakka Salem study in Nakka Salem Government Higher Secondary School in class 9, 10, 11 and 12. There is no adequate bus facility for them to get to school during school hours. Only one government bus (7A) leaves Padalur at 8 am and goes to school at 9 am.
As this bus always goes crowded, students, including females, are reportedly forced to hang on the bus stairs to reach the school. That is why the incident took place, said one of the students travelling in the same bus.
Speaking to TNIE, a 35-years-old parent of another student, said, "My daughter fell from the bus and was severely injured due to the negligence of the authorities. She was unable to walk for at least six months due to an injury to his leg. Thus affecting her study. We all work as daily wagers and send our children to school. But they have no security. A few months ago, I filed a petition with the District Collector seeking additional bus facilities to our area. But no action was taken."
A 17-years-old student from Pudu Ammapalayam who did not wish to be named, said, "There is only one bus for us to go to school from these areas. After the government provided free travel for women, the bus is always seen crowd. Thus, we are forced to travel on footboards because the seats are full. We know that it is dangerous. However, we have no choice to reach the school on time."
The Perambalur Depot Branch Manager, Raja, was unavailable for a response when contacted by TNIE.