Safety audit begins at depots across TN

In the early hours of Sunday, an MTC bus rammed into a wall which collapsed, leading to the death of two mechanics besides injuring six.

According to sources in the Transport department, the official teams were formed to inspect all the 322 depots across the State. These teams would conduct safety audit at the depots, including workers’ resting rooms. They would take note of the condition of the buildings and also other safety structures, including the stopper wall at the maintenance pit which should be at least 1.5 feet high.

K Nataraj, treasurer, Labour Progressive Federation (LPF), said Sunday’s accident could have been avoided if the stopper wall at the maintenance pit was 1.5 feet high.

“It was so short that the bus ran over it and hit the wall. Ideally, the Inspector of Factories should check the depot and ensure everything is maintained according to regulations.But this is not done properly. The mechanics work under poorconditions,” he said.

Transport department principal secretary J Radhakrishnan had said that the order has been issued to review the safety at the work place and resting room of all the depots. He added that all the 32 depots of the Metropolitan Transport Corporation would be modernised. Of them, 16 depots would be taken up the first phase. “We are also planning to set up 74 new modern depots in the State. It will be developed in such a way to provide all facilities for the workers,” he said.