The cold wave has gripped the northern parts of the country. As a result multiple cities in Uttar Pradesh have been affected by fog-related disruptions, affecting various modes of transport in the state.

In a bid to enhance road safety measures, the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has now decided to suspend bus operations between 8 PM and 8 AM in all the UP districts including Lucknow and Kanpur. This has been done in view of an increased number of road accidents due to poor visibility on fog-affected streets.

The safety guidelines were issued this Tuesday by the UPSRTC managing director Sanjay Kumar. Furthermore, all the regional and assistant regional managers in different UP districts have also been asked to take similar measures to ensure a safer movement of buses.

Relating to the matter, Kumar stated, “The bus operation will remain closed from 8 in the night to 8 in the morning or till the fog thins out. However, this will be done in a planned manner”.

"There is no blanket ban on the operation of buses at night or during the early morning hours and decisions in this regard would be upon the discretion of local officials", he added. Pertaining to the move, the officials will have the complete flexibility to allow bus operations if there is no fog on a particular night.