In the wake of the tragic Kurnool bus fire that claimed 19 lives and injured several others on Friday, frequent travellers between Bengaluru and Hyderabad are voicing strong concerns over road safety and the lack of efficient alternatives for intercity travel.
Many passengers have urged authorities to improve railway connectivity and expand affordable flight options between the two major IT hubs to ensure safer and more reliable journeys.
According to a report by The Hindu, around 28 trains currently operate on different days between the two cities, including the Yesvantpur–Kacheguda Vande Bharat Express. However, commuters argue that the number of convenient train services, especially overnight trains, remains insufficient.
A regular traveller cited that the Karnataka Sampark Kranti Express was rerouted unnecessarily, increasing the travel duration to nearly 19 hours. At present, only two overnight trains connect Bengaluru and Hyderabad, with one terminating at Yelahanka instead of Yesvantpur, making it inconvenient for central city passengers.
Earlier this year, the temporary suspension of the Vande Bharat Express on Fridays led to widespread frustration among weekend commuters, prompting the Indian Railways to reinstate the service after receiving multiple public complaints.
While flights between Bengaluru and Hyderabad take just 1 hour 20 minutes, travellers say the overall journey time — including airport transfers, security checks, and boarding delays — often negates the time saved.
Reaching Kempegowda International Airport from key Bengaluru suburbs such as Bellandur or Whitefield takes an additional 1.5 to 2 hours, making air travel less practical for daily or frequent commuters.
Many passengers also find flights expensive and stressful, preferring KSRTC’s AC sleeper buses or overnight trains, which are considered more affordable, comfortable, and convenient for the roughly 9-hour journey.
The tragic Kurnool incident has reignited public debate over transport safety, infrastructure gaps, and the need for modern, time-efficient connectivity between two of South India’s largest metropolitan regions.
Originally published on newsworldstime.com.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
