Jaipur, Oct.28,2025:Early Tuesday morning in Rajasthan’s Jaipur district, a bus laden with migrant workers became engulfed in flames when it came into contact with an overhead live high-tension wire in the Manoharpur area, reportedly on its way to a brick-kiln in Todi village. Two labourers were confirmed dead and ten or more suffered serious burn injuries-
According to initial investigations, the bus was carrying household items and possibly LPG or other cylinders on its roof. The vehicle was passing under an 11,000-volt high-tension line when some items (or part of the bus itself) made contact, causing an electric current to surge and ignite a fire. The blaze escalated rapidly, trapping some passengers, and local villagers and emergency services were forced into a swift rescue.
Who Was on the Bus and Where Was It Going
The bus was transporting labourers from Pilibhit/Bareilly districts of Uttar Pradesh to a brick‐kiln unit in Todi village, Manoharpur, near Jaipur. Eyewitnesses and police indicated many of the passengers were migrant workers, likely living in difficult conditions, heading for work in the kiln sector.
This journey, like many in the region, involved transportation along internal roads (often “kachcha” or unpaved) and under high-tension overhead lines – a combination that significantly raises risk when safety measures aren’t strictly enforced.
How the High-Tension Wire Caused the Blaze
why did the bus touch the wire
Preliminary reports indicate that the bus had items loaded on its roof — cylinders, cycles or bulk packages — and was passing through an internal road when the roof or a rooftop load made contact with an overhead 11,000-volt high-tension line.
One key factor: inadequate clearance between the road/travelling bus and the high-tension network. Locals reportedly had warned about the low‐hanging wires before.
The Electric Surge and Immediate Fire
When contact occurred, the high-voltage line induced a massive current through the bus body. The presence of LPG cylinders or easily flammable materials on the roof expedited ignition and a sudden fire‐blast effect.
Rapid Spread and Entrapment
Passengers inside the bus found themselves in a dire situation: heavy flames, smoke, possibly eruptions of gas cylinders, and limited means of escape. Some jumped out; others were trapped. Emergency crews arrived, but by then the flames had done much damage.
Why the Scale Was So Large
- Rooftop loads reducing clearance from overhead lines.
- Possibly inadequate bus design or lack of emergency exits.
- Internal roads with limited oversight for safety clearances.
- Delay in rescue for some passengers.
These combined to make the Jaipur Bus Fire Manoharpur far more devastating than a simple road accident.
Rescue and Medical Response
First Responder Work
Shortly after the accident, local police teams, administration officials and fire brigade units from Shahpura and Jaipur reached the spot. They found the bus ablaze, survivors jumping out, trapped ones still inside, and flames raging.
Hospitalisation & Referral
Victims with severe burn injuries were initially taken to Shahpura Sub-District Hospital. Five of the most critical were referred to the prestigious Sawai Man Singh Hospital (SMS) in Jaipur for advanced treatment.
Two persons died on the spot or shortly after arrival; with reports varying between two and three deaths.
Fire Control & Site Clearance
Firefighters worked hard to extinguish the blaze, despite the complications of cylinders, roof loads and electrical connection risks. The scene was cordoned off; investigation teams arrived.
Ongoing Medical & Relief Challenges
Burn injuries require specialised treatment, and follow-up care is intensive. In the case of the Jaipur Bus Fire Manoharpur, many survivors are likely to face long recoveries, potential disabilities, and emotional trauma. Rehabilitation and monetary assistance will be crucial.
Underlying Failures & Safety Gaps
The Jaipur Bus Fire Manoharpur didn’t happen in isolation — it exposes a chain of systemic failures that allowed disaster to unfold.
Infrastructure Clearance Lapses
High‐tension lines of 11,000 volts passed close to internal roads with inadequate clearance. Locals had raised the alarm about the low wires prior to this incident.
Unsafe Transport of Load & Cylinders
The bus carried items on its roof — possibly LPG cylinders or household goods — that increased risk of ignition. Several reports indicate cylinders may have exploded.
Road / Vehicle Safety Oversight
- The bus was travelling on a “kaccha” or internal road with limited regulatory oversight.
- Passenger buses must meet stringent safety specifications (clearance, emergency exits, fire suppression systems) — whether such compliance was present here is under investigation.
- Migrant labour transport is often under-regulated, with safety compromised.
Rescue & Emergency Preparedness
While rescue did happen, the speed with which fire originated and spread meant many victims had little chance. Signage, escape options, and emergency drills seem absent.
Accountability & Enforcement Gaps
Reports indicate investigations have been launched; however, similar bus fire tragedies (e.g., earlier in Rajasthan) reveal slow or weak enforcement of safety standards.
Voices, Reactions & Calls for Accountability
The incident has triggered strong responses from authorities, opposition politicians and civil-society activists.
Political & Administrative Reaction
- Bhajanlal Sharma (Chief Minister, Rajasthan) condemned the accident as “extremely tragic” and called for proper treatment for injured.
- Ashok Gehlot (former Chief Minister) expressed grief and demanded improved road & transport safety after recurring accidents.
- Investigation teams have been instructed to examine power-line clearance, bus loading, and transport licence adherence.
Local Citizen and Worker Voices
Villagers near Manoharpur claim they had repeatedly highlighted the danger of low-hanging wires but had seen no corrective action. Migrant workers and advocates are calling for better regulation of labour transport safety and stricter monitoring.
Safety Advocates & Experts
Experts in transport safety note that bus fire fatalities often cluster around poorly maintained vehicles, inadequate emergency exits, overloaded rooftop storage, and compromised infrastructure clearance. The Jaipur Bus Fire Manoharpur incident ticks many such boxes.
Lessons Learnt & What Must Change
Hard Lessons
- Clearance of overhead lines cannot be lax. When a bus touches a high-tension line, the results can be catastrophic.
- Roof loads on buses must be regulated. Transporting cylinders and bulky items alter the vehicle’s height and risk clearance violation.
- Internal roads and migrant routes require oversight. Many accidents happen off the main highways, where regulation is weaker.
- Emergency infrastructure must be strong. Fire suppression, escape routes, training and rapid response save lives.
- Accountability must be real, not token. Investigation followed by enforcement will deter repeat incidents.
Recommended Changes
- The regional electricity board must audit high‐tension line clearances along all internal roads used by transport vehicles.
- Transport departments must strictly enforce height restrictions, forbid unsecured cylinders or flammables on passenger buses.
- Labour-transport services must be licensed, monitored and subject to surprise safety audits.
- Emergency services must map high-risk zones (e.g., internal roads under high‐voltage lines) and ensure rapid access, fire units and medical backup.
- Migrant worker welfare: employers and contractors must be held responsible for safe transportation arrangements.
The Urgent Imperative
The Jaipur Bus Fire Manoharpur incident is far more than a tragic accident—it’s an urgent alarm bell. Two lives gone, many more suffering, and a system of transport, infrastructure and regulation found wanting. Unless corrective actions are swift and strict, such tragedies will repeat.
For the victims and their families, the pain is immediate. For the wider society, the lesson must translate into safety, oversight and reform. It’s time that transport safety, labour protection and infrastructure integrity are placed at the heart of policy and practice—before another bus fire becomes forgotten too soon.
