Nagpur: Panic gripped commuters at Wathoda Chowk around 9 am on Thursday after a school bus carrying 35 students from a CBSE school began emitting smoke, sparking fears that it had caught fire.As per sources, the bus was stuck in heavy traffic at the junction when smoke started billowing from the rear. Motorists and pedestrians rushed to help, evacuating the children through the windows. All students were safely brought out. Some commuters suspected a short circuit and feared the vehicle might catch fire.Bus owner Vaibhav Sarve said there was no fire, attributing the smoke to engine oil running out, which caused smoke to be emitted from the silencer. Officials and the owner confirmed that no students were injured.Nagpur Municipal Corporation chief fire officer Rajendra Uchake said the fire brigade received no call about the incident.The episode has raised concerns about the mechanical condition of school buses operating in the city, especially during peak traffic hours.RTO officials said the bus had all required documents, including a valid fitness certificate. Transport records show it also held an educational permit to ferry schoolchildren.
