Faulty Design on Volvo Buses?

Bus manufacturer Volvo has found itself in a spot of bother with the Andhra Pradesh Police Crime Investigation Department (CID) citing the bus' faulty design as one of the major reasons for the bus fire tragedy which claimed 45 lives last year.

Volvo has refuted this allegation stating that evidence and technical data submitted to investigating authorities point to full compliance with all stipulated regulations in India. In a statement, Volvo Buses says "The products are fully approved under the relevant regulations in India and Volvo Buses not only meet, but in some cases also exceed, regulatory guidelines."

According to the investigation carried out by the Volvo expert team, the bus was running at a speed of approximately 100 km/h and experienced a front corner impact collision with a concrete barrier. The impact of the accident is estimated at 5 megajoule and the result of this immense impact has naturally caused severe structural damages on the bus.

But the CID's findings claim that there is a defect in the design of Volvo buses which do not make them road worthy. The findings point out that the one main fuel tank of 300 litres is very close to the battery compartment which is in close proximity to the road on the right hand side of the bus.

In October 2013, a Volvo bus run by a private operator hit a culvert on NH44 in Andhra Pradesh and went up in flames. The CID findings claim the iron pipe on the culvert pierced into the bus, caused sparks from the battery compartment, igniting the main fuel tank made of plastic.

The CID findings also cites driver negligence and faulty road engineering to be among the other factors responsible for the accident.

Volvo says its products are developed and built to minimize the consequences of accidents. Volvo buses have been operating in India for over 12 years and currently 5000 Volvo buses are on the roads.