Pune minibus fire likely caused by short circuit
A fire in a minibus in Hinjewadi may have been caused by a short circuit, according to officials from the Pimpri-Chinchwad Regional Transport Office (RTO). They inspected the vehicle after the incident and found that the 2015 model had all valid permits, taxes, and insurance. This means there were no immediate compliance issues with the vehicle. RTO officer Sandesh Chavan stated that their initial investigation suggested a short circuit in the wiring under the driver's seat was responsible for the fire. He noted that materials like leather and plastic in vehicles can help fires spread quickly. Chavan pointed out that faulty safety mechanisms and the excessive use of air-conditioning could also contribute to such incidents. Transport experts are now calling on the Maharashtra government to create a vehicle manufacturing quality testing committee. This committee would be similar to one established by the Delhi government, aimed at ensuring both commercial and private vehicle safety. Experts recommend including members from the Automotive Research Association of India and other technical specialists in the committee. Sanjay Sasane, a principal at the Institute of Driver Training and Research, highlighted risks tied to modifications in commercial vehicles. Many of these vehicles are upgraded with powerful lights and air-conditioning, which can lead to technical problems. He also mentioned that drivers often leave air-conditioning running while sleeping in parked vehicles, affecting engine safety. Dattatraya Saste, a former officer with the Central Institute of Road Transport, called for improved fire detection systems in vehicles. He noted that advanced technologies in modern vehicles sometimes lead to overheating when air-conditioning is used excessively. Saste suggested that vehicles should have alarm systems to alert drivers and passengers in cases of overheating, rather than relying on small warning lights that can be overlooked.