Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Transport Minister GS Bali cited poor road condition and poor visibility due to fog responsible for the bus accident at Katarghat on Basantpur-Kingal highway, which killed 21 people including seven of a family.

The state’s transport minister told reporters here that he has ordered an inquiry into the accident. He denied any fault with HRTC and said the accident spot was very narrow with no parapet to protect if two vehicles passed by.

GS Bali said that he had raised the issue of accident prone black spots with the state’s PWD department and asked them to make them safer by at-least constructing a proper parapet. He also revealed writing to the Union Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to install crash barriers on all roads above 4000 feet.

To make roads safer, the State Government is also taking help from the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI).