Dharamshala, May 29: An HRTC bus traveling from Chamunda in Kangra to Vrindavan, Uttar Pradesh, came under attack on its inaugural journey Wednesday night. The incident occurred near Bhanupali on the Nangal–Anandpur Sahib highway in Punjab, where unidentified miscreants pelted stones at the bus, which was carrying pilgrims headed for the holy city of Vrindavan.
Eyewitness and passenger Avinash Thakur reported that around 11 PM, three individuals on a motorcycle suddenly targeted the moving bus with stones. One of the stones shattered the front windshield. The terrifying moment was captured on a video inside the bus, clearly showing the broken glass and stones scattered across the vehicle’s interior.
The bus, full of devotees en route for darshan of Lord Krishna, had only just been launched earlier in the day by Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) Chairman R.S. Bali after a ceremonial send-off. The fact that the attack occurred on its very first day has raised serious concerns about the safety and security of inter-state transport.
Despite the chaos, the bus driver showed commendable presence of mind by not stopping the vehicle, thereby avoiding a potentially more dangerous situation. Authorities were immediately informed, and after assessing the damage, the bus continued its journey to Vrindavan that same night.
This is not the first time an HRTC bus has been targeted in Punjab. On March 18, a bus from the Hamirpur depot (HP 67 A-1321) was attacked in Kharar, Mohali by two individuals in a car, who assaulted the vehicle with sticks. In that case, both accused were arrested by local police.
Incidents like these highlight recurring safety concerns for Himachal transport services passing through certain routes in Punjab, sparking fresh calls for stronger inter-state coordination on passenger safety.
