Lucknow, May 17 -- The deadly fire in a bus in Lucknow on Thursday laid bare the rampant violations of not just permit conditions but also of critical safety and technical norms by private buses operating illegally as stage carriages. Five people-two of whom were children-were killed in the mishap.

Despite securing contract carriage or tourist permits, these buses brazenly pick up and drop off passengers at multiple destinations - a practice that has been continuing unchecked for years with UP State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC), which alone is authorised to operate buses on notified highways and expressways, failing to cater the demand.

In the latest case, the ill-fated bus obtained a special permit from Baghpat on May 10. The pe...