Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Nov 9: A shocking video has gone viral on social media showing a VRL Travels bus driver watching Bigg Boss on his mobile phone while driving at nearly 80 kilometres per hour.
The incident, which reportedly occurred around 2:50 am during a journey from Mumbai to Hyderabad, has triggered widespread outrage among netizens and reignited concerns over passenger safety and driver discipline on private long-distance buses.
In the viral clip, the driver is seen placing his phone just below the steering wheel, streaming the popular reality show as he speeds along the highway in the middle of the night. Alarmed by his recklessness, a passenger recorded the act and shared the video online, tagging VRL Travels in the complaint.
Responding swiftly, the company launched an internal inquiry and confirmed that the driver had been terminated from service with immediate effect.
Following the backlash, Vijayanand Travels — which operates VRL Travels — issued an official statement apologising for the incident. “We sincerely regret the inconvenience, fear, and distress you experienced during your journey on October 27 from Mumbai to Hyderabad. Passenger safety is our top priority, and we take such matters with the utmost seriousness,” the company said.
It further stated that it maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy for negligence, adding, “The concerned driver has been relieved from duty with immediate effect due to his negligent behaviour.”
Reassuring passengers, the company highlighted that with over 1,300 travel drivers and 10,000 logistics drivers, it conducts regular safety training and awareness programmes. It also emphasised that strict instructions have been reinforced prohibiting mobile phone use while driving.
The incident has reignited debates around road safety and passenger security, with many social media users calling for stricter monitoring of transport operators to prevent such potentially life-threatening negligence in future.