Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of seven people killed in a bus collision near Surat, Gujarat. The accident occurred on the Gujarat-Maharashtra Highway in Bardoli Tehsil, involving two Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses. The collision resulted in at least seven deaths and over 40 injuries, according to police reports, as of June 2, 2026, livemint.com reported.
The incident unfolded when two MSRTC buses collided, causing one of the vehicles to catch fire. Emergency services responded to the scene, where injured passengers were treated and transported to nearby hospitals. Prime Minister Modi expressed his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy and announced the compensation to support the bereaved families. The local authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident, livemint.com stated.
This accident highlights ongoing safety challenges on Indian highways, particularly involving state-run bus services. Similar incidents in the past have prompted calls for improved road safety measures and stricter enforcement of traffic regulations. The Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation operates one of the largest bus fleets in the region, making safety oversight critical to prevent such fatal collisions. The government’s prompt compensation announcement is consistent with previous responses to major accidents, reflecting a policy of financial aid to victims’ families, according to livemint.com.
The ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh per deceased victim was officially announced on June 2, 2026, by Prime Minister Modi. Police continue to investigate the circumstances of the collision on the Gujarat-Maharashtra Highway, while medical teams manage the care of more than 40 injured passengers. The incident remains under close scrutiny by state authorities, livemint.com confirmed.