Transport officers of Pauri and Almora suspended as death toll crosses 35 in Uttarakhand bus accident

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], November 4 (ANI): Authorities in Uttarakhand have suspended Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTO) of Pauri and Almora as the death toll in the Almora bus accident passed 35.
The tragedy unfolded after a bus carrying around 50 passengers plunged into a deep gorge near in Almora district on Monday morning.
Relief and rescue operations are underway.
"...Around 50 passengers were on board, have fallen into the gorge... As per the instructions received from him, our police SDRF and health department team were immediately activated... The information that we have, here is more than 35 casualties, their names and addresses are being verified and some injured passengers have also been shifted to AIIMS, Rishikesh," Uttarakhand DGP Abhinav Kumar told ANI.
He said in view of the incident, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, has cancelled all his programs in Delhi and said officials from the police department are investigating the matter.
"This is a very serious incident and in view of this incident, the Chief Minister cancelled all his programs in Delhi and is going to Ramnagar immediately... Senior officers from the police department who are present on the spot are investigating the reasons for the incident and whatever prima facie reason will be found in it, a case will be registered and necessary action will be taken in that," DGP Kumar added.
Uttarakhand Health Minister Dhan Singh Rawat said that all steps will be taken to ensure such accidents do not happen again.
"Many people have died after a bus fell into a deep gorge. The Uttarakhand government has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the incident. Rs 1 lakh will be given by the state government to the injured. An ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakhs will be given to the next of kin of each deceased by the state government. Three injured have been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh, out of which the condition of the injured is stable...The incident is very unfortunate...Proper steps will be taken to ensure that these kinds of incidents don't take place in the future," he said.
CM Dhami said that the injured has been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh and Sushila Tiwari Hospital Haldwani for better treatment.
In a post on X, CM Dhami said, "The seriously injured in the bus accident in Almora district have been airlifted to AIIMS Rishikesh and Sushila Tiwari Hospital Haldwani for better treatment. I am also taking information about the relief and rescue operations and postponing all the programs for today, I am leaving for Pantnagar from Delhi."
DGP Kumar further added, "Rescue and relief operations are continuing. All concerned personnel are engaged in rescue and relief measures. ARTO of Pauri and Almorah has been suspended. I will take a meeting of all SPs tomorrow,"
CM Dhami has also ordered a magisterial inquiry into the accident.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakhs from PMNRF for the next of kin of each deceased. The injured will be given Rs. 50,000, the Prime Minister's office said.
"My condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the road accident in Almora, Uttarakhand. Along with this, I wish for the speedy recovery of all the injured. Under the supervision of the state government, the local administration is making every possible effort for relief and rescue," PM Modi said, according to a post on PMO's X account. (ANI)