Bus racing in Kolkata has become a deadly and unchecked crisis, endangering lives daily due to weak enforcement, dangerous incentives, and a lack of meaningful reform.
On June 9, 2025, 25 people were injured, with about 17 of them sustaining serious injuries, when two private buses, routes 75 and SD 8, were involved in a high-speed racing battle on Thakurpukur-Bakrahat Road in Kolkata.
The SD 8 bus, while trying to overtake its rival near the Bibirhat crossing, lost control and collided with a tree near Raspunja. Passengers later recounted how the bus drivers of both buses were racing each other, ignoring the pleas of passengers throughout the journey.
“We screamed at the driver to slow down, but he didn’t listen. It was a race, like they were chasing a prize,” said Azizur Rahman, one of the injured passengers.
Just five days before that, on June 4, two youths on a motorcycle were critically injured when they were sandwiched between two buses at Hudco crossing on CIT Road – yet another incident involving bus racing in Kolkata.
These are not isolated incidents. Bus racing in Kolkata has become an epidemic and has stealthily been claiming lives. And for reasons unknown, the West Bengal authorities refuse to bat an eyelid.
These bus accidents reveal an alarming trend – private buses, often operated by drivers who are incentivized to carry as many passengers as possible, compete in perilous races down busy roads. The race for commuters results in common traffic offenses, with no care for safety.
Further, most of these buses have a record of traffic offenses. For example, the vehicle that ran over Ayush Paik had several outstanding cases, including reckless driving and jumping signals.
To put things into perspective, here’s a list of here’s a list of recent accidents caused by private buses involved in bus racing in Kolkata.
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List of Major Accidents Caused by Bus Racing in Kolkata
While accidents caused by bus racing in Kolkata occur almost daily, here are a few major incidents that have caught national attention.
| Date | Location | Incident Summary | Casualties / Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 11, 2020 | Khidderpore | A racing bus rammed a car and overturned. | 1 dead (motorcyclist); 3 buses torched by locals |
| Oct 3, 2023 | Sector V | 11-year-old Ayush Paik was killed by a speeding racing bus with 58 pending violations. | 10 passengers injured |
| Nov 13, 2024 | Salt Lake | 11-year-old Ayush Paik was killed by a racing bus with 58 pending violations. | 1 dead |
| Feb 24, 2025 | Bonhooghly to Behala Chowrasta | A 44-year-old woman was fatally run over by a speeding, racing private bus near Exide crossing. | 1 dead |
| May 29, 2025 | Ultadanga | Two racing buses seriously injured a 62-year-old pedestrian. | 1 senior citizen injured; protests and buses burned |
| Jun 04, 2025 | Hudco Crossing, CIT Road | 2 youths were critically injured | 2 youths critically injured |
| Jun 6, 2025 | Raspunja (Thakurpukur–Bakrahat Road) | Route 75 and SD 8 buses raced; SD 8 lost control and hit a tree. | 25 injured, 15–16 critically |
Authorities Response
After the latest incident, which injured 25 people, the Kolkata Police have finally decided to take steps to stop this menace.
One of those steps is installing anti-blind-spot mirrors on buses to improve drivers’ vision. Secondly, awareness drives are being carried out to inform drivers as well as the general public about road safety.
But enforcement remains inconsistent. While the police come up with strong measures after these accidents make headlines, these steps have proven largely ineffective. Moreover, implementation loses momentum as time passes, and the bus racing in Kolkata continues unabated.
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Personal Perspective
I’ve grown up in Kolkata, and honestly, I just can’t stay quiet anymore. The consequences of bus racing in Kolkata are scary. This isn’t just bad traffic, it’s something much worse. It’s become a real danger to all of us.
We don’t just need more cops standing on corners or putting up some more signs. That’s not going to fix this. What we need are strong laws that actually work, serious enforcement drives, and some major changes in how the transport system works. Half-measures aren’t going to do anything now. We’ve let this slide for too long already.
How is it even acceptable that bus drivers are allowed to race each other through narrow, crowded streets? People have died because of this. And still, it’s mostly just called “an accident.” That doesn’t sit right with me. When you drive like that and someone dies, it’s not just bad luck; it’s reckless and should be treated like a crime. A fine or a suspension isn’t enough – bus drivers involved in bus racing in Kolkata and claiming lives should be tried for murder.
At the same time, I think just punishing drivers isn’t enough either. There has to be more awareness. Not just drivers, but passengers too. Even pedestrians. We all have to care about safety and call it out when something’s wrong. The problem is, most people don’t bother. They see something dangerous and just ignore it. That mindset needs to shift.
What Can Be Done?
In my opinion, if we really want to make our roads safer and stop this reckless racing, we need to take a few clear, practical steps:
- Use GPS to Track Routes and Speed
All private buses should have GPS systems that track their speed and routes. It’s one of the easiest ways to catch overspeeding or rash driving as it happens, and to hold people accountable. - Set Up Automatic Fines and Penalties
There should be a system in place that automatically fines or suspends buses if they keep breaking traffic rules. No warnings, no excuses—just firm, consistent action. - End Commission-Based Pay for Drivers
A big reason drivers race is that they get paid more for making more trips or picking up more passengers. That needs to change. Fixed salaries would take away the pressure to drive dangerously just to earn a bit more. - Make It Easy for People to Report Problems
We need a simple helpline or online platform where people can report reckless driving as soon as they see it. Commuters notice these things all the time, but right now, there’s nowhere to report it that actually leads to action.
End of the day, it’s really basic, people should be able to walk around the city, ride a bus, or cross the street without wondering if they’ll make it home. That shouldn’t be too much to ask.
But right now in Kolkata, it is. And if nothing big changes, fast bus racing in Kolkata will continue to claim lives unabated. How many more lives have to be lost before this is taken seriously?