Calicut To Bangalore Bus Passengers Survive Near-Death Ordeal, Slam SAAM Travels For Negligence & Lack Of Support
Kannur, Kerala- Karnataka Boarder: An overnight journey turned into a hellish experience for 35 passengers traveling from Kozhikode (Calicut) to Bangalore on a luxury AC sleeper bus operated by SAAM Travels, after the vehicle nearly plunged into a deep gorge at the treacherous Makoottam Churam (mountain pass) on Tuesday night.
The bus took at 8:45 PM from Kozhikode and the accident occurred around 2 AM on a rain-slicked stretch of the hairpin-bend road known for its dangerous curves and lack of infrastructure.
The area flanked by dense forest and devoid of streetlights, mobile network coverage, or emergency services has long been a concern for frequent travelers.
Passengers reported that the bus was attempting to give way to an oncoming lorry when its rear wheels lost traction on the severely damaged roadside.
The vehicle tilted dangerously, teetering on the edge of a drop. Miraculously, a tree halted its fall, sparing the passengers from what could have been a fatal plunge into the forested ravine.
Passengers, including children and a pregnant woman, were forced to evacuate the vehicle in the middle of the night and wait over four hours in heavy rain, surrounded by wilderness.
The bus was precariously perched, requiring a crane to lift it back to safety. However, the remote location had no network coverage, making it impossible for anyone to call for aid or arrange for the necessary equipment.
With no immediate rescue or assistance from the operator or authorities, it was only due to the presence of some travelers in a car who kept headlights flickering to provide visibility that panic and further injury were averted.
Frustration turned to outrage as passengers waited in vain for help from Saam Travels. Despite repeated calls, the company failed to dispatch a replacement bus or provide any meaningful support.
Eventually, it was the car driver who managed to arrange a seater bus that transported the stranded passengers to Mysuru.
From there, they proceeded to Bangalore, arriving exhausted and famished by 4 PM nearly nine hours behind schedule.
Many had missed work, and professional commitments were disrupted. Among them were entrepreneur Bijon, IT professional Rahul, and other working individuals like Sinan, Anas, Mahesh and Wafa (the writer of this news) who spearheaded efforts to demand accountability.
Adding to their woes, passengers were initially told that their luggage including vital items such as house keys would need to be collected from SAAM Travels’ main office.
With travelers spread across Bangalore, this proved both impractical and infuriating. Passengers demanded that their belongings be delivered to their homes or nearby metro stations.
When passengers attempted to contact the SAAM Travels manager, their calls went unanswered.
It wasn’t until the police intervened around 3 PM that the manager finally responded, apologising to the passengers and promising to arrange accommodations for those in need and acclimate their demands.
Manager Darshan responded to Timeline stating that Saam Travels had indeed dropped off all passengers from Kengeri to their respective destinations in Bangalore and delivered their luggage as well.
“We didn’t made any negligence, if we could have got range we could have made utmost precautions at right time, you know range matters there this would ruin all other relationship,” he said.
He also attributed the issue to a communication error, claiming that the company had taken care of everything for the passengers.
However, the passengers remained dissatisfied, feeling that the response came too late and that the company should have acted more promptly to address their distress.
Following prolonged arguments, police involvement, and several rounds of negotiation at the Kengeri police station, the issue was finally resolved.
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In the aftermath, passengers criticised both the Kerala and Karnataka state governments for the lack of basic infrastructure and emergency response on such a vital interstate route. Many questioned why no warning systems, lighting, helpline markers, or barricades exist in such a perilous stretch of road.
Equally scathing was the criticism directed at SAAM Travels. Passengers accused the company of gross negligence, unprofessionalism, and endangering lives due to its failure to act promptly or responsibly in the face of a near-tragic incident.
As public outrage builds and complaints have been officially lodged with the police and transport authorities, many are calling for a thorough investigation and stricter safety mandates for private bus operators plying on dangerous interstate routes.
