In the early hours of Monday, November 3, 2025, a devastating road accident unfolded near Chevella in Telangana’s Ranga Reddy district, leaving at least 20 dead and dozens more injured. The tragedy, which involved a head-on collision between a gravel-laden tipper truck and a Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TSRTC) bus, has shocked the state and prompted urgent calls for action on road safety.
According to multiple reports from The Times of India, India Today, and Hindustan Times, the TSRTC bus was traveling from Tandur to Hyderabad with over 70 passengers on board when disaster struck. The tipper truck, reportedly speeding and coming from the wrong direction, slammed into the front of the bus near Khanapur Gate under Chevella police limits. The force of the impact was so severe that the front of the bus was crushed and the truck’s load of gravel spilled over, trapping many passengers under the debris.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as heart-rending, with cries for help echoing from inside the mangled vehicle. Local residents and emergency crews responded swiftly, using earthmovers and heavy machinery to clear the gravel and extricate the victims. Rescue operations continued for hours, as officials raced against time to save those who were critically injured.
Among the deceased were at least ten women, the bus driver, and—tragically—a three-month-old infant along with its mother. The driver of the truck also perished in the crash. The injured, numbering around 20 according to Telangana Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, were rushed to local hospitals in Chevella and then transferred to Hyderabad for specialized treatment. Three of the injured were reported to be in critical condition. As India Today noted, some passengers with minor injuries had already returned home, but authorities were tracking all survivors to ensure they received appropriate care.
Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep grief over the loss of life and immediately ordered a comprehensive investigation. In a statement from his office, he directed Chief Secretary K Ramakrishna Rao and Director General of Police Shivadhar Reddy to coordinate rescue and relief operations “on a war footing.” The Chief Minister also instructed that all available ministers and senior officials, including the RTC Managing Director and the Fire Services Director General, be dispatched to the crash site. Hospitals in Hyderabad, including Osmania and Gandhi, were placed on high alert, with special medical teams deployed to treat the injured.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined in expressing condolences, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and announcing an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund. “The loss of lives due to a mishap in the Rangareddy district of Telangana is deeply saddening. My thoughts are with the affected people and their families during this difficult time. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” PM Modi wrote on X, as reported by India Today.
Political leaders across party lines responded with sorrow and calls for action. Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Chief K Chandrashekar Rao expressed “deep shock and grief over the tragic accident,” urging the government to provide financial assistance to the families of the deceased and ensure the best medical treatment for the injured. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan described the crash as “deeply shocking” and pressed the state government to provide better medical services to those hurt. Union Minister and BJP leader Bandi Sanjay Kumar also offered condolences and assured central government support, while urging the Telangana government to provide immediate relief and assistance.
Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, speaking from the site, stated, “Around 20 people died, around 20 are getting treatment in the hospital, 3 are critically injured.” He also confirmed that a control room had been set up in the state Secretariat to coordinate ongoing rescue and relief efforts. The Chevella Police, who arrived at the scene soon after the crash, confirmed multiple casualties and said that an investigation was underway to determine the precise cause of the accident. Initial reports suggest that the truck’s over-speeding and possible loss of control, combined with it being on the wrong side of the road, were major contributing factors.
The aftermath of the collision saw the Hyderabad–Bijapur highway blocked for several hours as police and disaster response teams worked to clear the wreckage and restore traffic. The mangled remains of the bus and the tipper stood as grim reminders of the tragedy, while families of the victims gathered at hospitals and the accident site, seeking news of their loved ones.
As the day progressed, state officials emphasized the importance of a thorough probe. Authorities are verifying whether overloading or other violations by the truck driver played a role in the crash. The collision has reignited debate over road safety in Telangana, with many questioning the enforcement of traffic regulations—particularly regarding heavy vehicles traveling at high speeds or on the wrong side of the road. While the exact sequence of events is still being pieced together, the consensus among officials and witnesses is that the accident was preventable.
In addition to the loss of life, the psychological toll on survivors and first responders has been profound. Eyewitnesses told Hindustan Times that the intensity of the crash meant many passengers died on the spot, while others were left with life-altering injuries. The state government has promised to cover medical expenses for the injured and provide support to bereaved families.
It’s not the first time Telangana has witnessed such a catastrophic road accident, but the scale and suddenness of Monday’s tragedy have left a mark on the public consciousness. As rescue and relief operations wound down, the focus shifted to ensuring justice for the victims and accountability for those responsible. The coming weeks will likely see renewed scrutiny of road safety policies and the implementation of stricter measures to prevent such disasters in the future.
For now, Telangana mourns the loss of 20 lives and prays for the recovery of the injured, as officials, families, and communities grapple with the aftermath of one of the state’s deadliest road accidents in recent memory.
