# KSRTC ignored own June order on permanent drivers, crash shows 2026-08-09T18:51:08+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet KSRTC flouted its own June 23 directive mandating permanent, experienced drivers for long-distance buses, a lapse exposed by a fatal crash near Bidadi on Saturday. The Kozhikode-Bengaluru Super Deluxe bus, driven by temporary employee Mithilesh, 35, rammed a highway signboard, killing him and conductor Arun NM on the spot. The June order covered all services from Super Fast upwards, but Mithilesh had joined KSRTC only five months ago, though he had 11 years of private bus experience. Friends said Mithilesh returned from a Mysuru trip Friday morning and was assigned the overnight Bengaluru run without rest. The bus also lacked a driver-cum-conductor, leaving him alone for 8-9 hours. Kerala transport minister CP John called it human error and ordered an internal inquiry. ## Coverage - english.mathrubhumi.com - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: bus safety, Kerala, KSRTC, long-distance routes, temporary drivers Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/ksrtc-flouts-order-on-permanent-drivers-for-long-distance-routes/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/ksrtc-flouts-order-on-permanent-drivers-for-long-distance-routes/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.