A 45-year-old auto-rickshaw driver died after a BMTC electric bus lost control and collided with his vehicle at K.R. Circle in Bengaluru. The deadly accident brought to light once again the risk of road safety at one of the city’s busiest intersections, and it is the second major BMTC-related accident at the same junction in two weeks.
The deceased driver, whose identity has not been made public by the police, died at the hospital where he was treated.
Bus Allegedly Lost Control
According to the preliminary information, the BMTC electric bus (registration number KA 51 AJ 6648) from the Shantinagar depot was travelling from Majestic towards Chandapura when the driver lost control of the vehicle.
The bus rammed into the auto-rickshaw with heavy force. The impact was so strong that it also uprooted a roadside tree and electric pole, underscoring the intensity of the collision.
Passers-by and emergency responders rushed to the scene and transported the injured auto-rickshaw driver to a nearby hospital. He was later admitted to a hospital for treatment but died.
Second Major Accident at K.R. Circle
The incident occurred at the same K.R. Circle junction where two BMTC buses collided on July 4, with traffic management and safety measures in that area once more under review.
Residents and regular commuters have urged authorities to conduct a full road safety audit of the junction, citing repeated accidents and the need for stricter enforcement of traffic regulations.
Many have also suggested better traffic engineering, better signal management, better vehicle speed control systems, and better speed monitoring of vehicles.
Police Investigation Underway
Police have registered a case and launched a detailed investigation into the accident.
As of now, it is believed the bus was moving at high speed, but there are still many possible factors to investigate, such as:
- Mechanical failure of the bus.
- Driver fatigue or health condition.
- Vehicle maintenance records.
- Road conditions at the time of the crash.
Officials have seized the bus for technical inspection and are checking CCTV footage, the driver's service records, and the history of the vehicle to find out what caused the accident.
Further legal action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation.
A 45-year-old auto-rickshaw driver succumbed to his injuries after his vehicle was hit by a BMTC electric bus at K.R. Circle in Bengaluru.
— Hate Detector 🔍 (@HateDetectors) July 18, 2026
The incident marks the second major accident involving BMTC buses at the same junction within two weeks.
According to reports, the BMTC… pic.twitter.com/v4Pz2rS1ne
Renewed Focus on Road Safety
The latest tragedy has galvanized calls for more safety measures on public transport in Bangalore.
Experts in road safety have stressed the importance of regular vehicle inspections, speed control, speed limits, driver training, and constant monitoring of accident-prone intersections.
At K.R. Circle, safety protocols will be investigated as part of the investigation, as well as immediate actions to prevent such accidents in the future, the mayor said.
