A road accident between a KSRTC bus and cows in Mysuru has once again made people concerned about stray cattle on the road. The KSRTC bus was passing cows that were moving on the road when it collided with them, and the cows died on the spot.
According to early information, the accident involved a KSRTC bus from Pandavapura depot with registration number KA-11 F 0479. The bus was on Mysuru’s busy Ring Road when it struck a group of cows near the edge of the road.
Witnesses say the impact of the collision was severe. Three cows were killed and instantly died at the accident site. Traffic and residents gathered around the accident site after the collision as well.
Fortunately, no passengers in the bus were injured in the accident. But the accident disrupted traffic flow, which caused drivers to slow down near the accident site, and the road was briefly cleared for travel when the accident happened.
Residents thought that the accident could have been caused by the driver’s negligence and failure to see the cattle on time. Transport officials and law enforcement authorities, however, may well investigate the reasons for the collision before conclusion.
The accident has stoked fears of stray cattle wandering on the roads in Mysuru and other parts of Karnataka. A big increase in cattle accidents in urban and semi-urban areas has been happening in recent years, and motorists and animals are now also at risk of being injured on these roads.
Cattle moving freely on highways and major roads can create dangerous situations, especially during peak traffic hours and low-visibility conditions, traffic experts say. Animals quickly appear on the roads, and drivers usually don’t have enough time to react, increasing the chance of accidents.
Residents have repeatedly asked local authorities to take action to prevent cattle from roaming freely on roads. Many have suggested establishing shelters and tougher enforcement against owners who allow their livestock to wander unattended in public areas.
Animal welfare advocates have also emphasised the need for coordinated efforts between municipal authorities, livestock owners, and transport departments to address the issue. They argue that good cattle management can prevent injuries, loss of animal life, and damage to vehicles.
Road safety experts say that stray animals are not only dangerous to the animals themselves, but also pose a serious risk to drivers, passengers, and pedestrians who are involved in accidents with stray animals. Many of the country’s major accidents, in fact, are related to drivers attempting to avoid animals that suddenly enter the roadways.
Authorities will review the incident and determine what to do about the Ring Road corridor to add more safety measures. Meanwhile, the deaths of three cows have brought back the perennial problem of stray cattle and the urgent need for a long-term solution.
Citizens and the wider community need to take responsibility for road safety and keep animals away from the busy roadways in the future to avoid any accidents like this and to keep humans and animals safe.
