Jagran Correspondent, Noida: The bus that caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway had a history of traffic violations with 19 fines totaling Rs 1.75 lakh. Despite this, the bus continued to operate. Moreover, there were frequent complaints about an unusual noise from the engine of the bus, but the action was only limited to issuing challans.
Nine passengers died while several others were injured after a sleeper bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway on Wednesday night. The Bihar number sleeper bus was going from Greater Noida to Mahoba and caught fire near Dayanatpur village soon after it began its journey.
ALSO READ: Greater Noida: Nine Killed, Several Injured After Sleeper Bus Catches Fire On Yamuna Expressway
The disregard for bus rules can be gauged from the fact that in January 2026, a driver under the age of 20 was fined in Chilla. In June 2025, a fine was also issued for violating fuel change and retrofitting rules.
No Action Taken On Engine Noise Complaint
There were frequent complaints about the bus's engine noise. However, instead of halting the services or conducting a thorough technical inspection, traffic fines were issued.
The status of the bus’s body was also unclear. While the Registration Certificate (RC) recorded the bus’s colour as black, the vehicle was found at the scene in yellow and white. Challans were also issued for violations related to retrofitting and permit requirements.
Government In Action After Incident
Following the death of nine people in the fire incident, government machinery, including the police administration, fire brigade, and traffic police, swung into action. However, the question now arises of the lack of timely and effective action despite previous complaints and violations related to the bus.
2 Arrested In Yamuna Expressway Blaze
Two people have been arrested in the case with the FIR stating that passengers had noticed a burning smell inside the vehicle before the blaze intensified, ANI reported
According to the FIR registered at Jewar Police Station, around 30-35 passengers were travelling on the bus. Some passengers reportedly noticed a burning smell coming from the driver's cabin and alerted the driver and conductor. However, the complaint alleges that the two did not stop the bus immediately and continued smoking inside the cabin.The FIR stated that shortly afterwards, flames suddenly emerged near the driver's seat and rapidly spread through the bus.
ALSO READ: Delhi: Fire Breaks Out At E-Bus Charging Station; Bus, 4 Motorcycles Gutted
Survivor Reacts To The Incident
A passenger recalled waking to a chaotic scene as smoke quickly filled the bus and people struggled to escape.
Describing the confusion and panic, the passenger said, “I was asleep when someone banged on the door. When I woke up, there was already a huge crowd. I didn't pick up any of my belongings; I didn't even put on my shoes. I just grabbed my phone and stepped out. It was so crowded that people were shoving each other. I was pushed around, and someone eventually pulled me out. I don't remember anything else after that. It was completely filled with smoke; the scene was chaotic, and getting out was extremely difficult...It was so smoky that nothing was visible; people were suffocating inside.”
“Very few managed to escape, only those who could push their way out amid the shoving...Many people lost their lives...There were quite a few people behind me who probably couldn't make it out, as I myself got out quite late,” she added, as quoted by ANI.