Yamuna Expressway bus fire in Mathura: 40 passengers escape unhurt at Raya Cut Bridge
Synopsis
A bus carrying 40 passengers burst into flames on the Yamuna Expressway's Raya Cut Bridge in Mathura at 1.38 am on 14 November. A suspected electrical short circuit triggered the blaze. All passengers escaped safely after police and fire teams responded within minutes — a rare outcome on a high-speed highway in the dead of night.
Key Takeaways
A bus operated by Khajuraho Travels (registration MP14ZH5063 ) caught fire on the Raya Cut Bridge of the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura at around 1.38 am IST on 14 November 2026 .
All 40 passengers on board were evacuated safely; no casualties were reported.
A suspected short circuit in the electrical wiring is believed to have caused the blaze.
Firefighters took nearly one-and-a-half hours to fully extinguish the fire.
Mahavan Circle Officer Sanjeev Kumar Rai confirmed safe evacuation; police remain at the spot pending any formal complaint.
All 40 passengers aboard a moving bus were safely evacuated after the vehicle caught fire on the Raya Cut Bridge of the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, in the early hours of Saturday, 14 November 2026. No casualties were reported, with timely action by police and fire personnel credited for preventing what could have been a major tragedy.
How the Fire Broke Out
The bus, registered as MP14ZH5063 and operated by Khajuraho Travels, was travelling from Kashmere Gate in Delhi to Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh when the blaze erupted. A suspected short circuit in the electrical wiring is believed to have triggered the fire as the vehicle crossed the Raya Cut Bridge, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Raya police station. The flames spread rapidly, destroying passengers' belongings.
Police and Fire Department Response
Police Response Vehicle (PRV) 5840 received information about the incident at approximately 1.38 am IST. The Inspector In Charge reached the scene along with a police team and immediately alerted the Fire Department. Fire tenders arrived shortly after and launched a combined rescue and firefighting operation. After nearly one-and-a-half hours of sustained efforts, firefighters brought the blaze completely under control.
What Officials Said
Mahavan Circle Officer (CO) Sanjeev Kumar Rai confirmed that the police team responded promptly upon receiving the alert. He stated that all passengers had been safely evacuated and no casualties were reported. Officials added that no formal complaint had been received as of the time of reporting, and that further legal action would be initiated if one was filed.
Key Details of the Bus and Driver
The bus was driven by Jitendra, son of Mohanlal, a resident of Naugaon in Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh. Police personnel remained at the spot after the incident was brought under control. The cause of the short circuit is under preliminary investigation.
What Happens Next
Authorities are yet to establish the precise technical cause of the electrical failure. The Yamuna Expressway, a high-speed corridor connecting Delhi and Agra, has previously seen road incidents in the late-night hours, raising questions about roadside emergency response infrastructure along the stretch. The absence of casualties in this incident reflects the importance of swift inter-agency coordination.
Point of View
Round-the-clock emergency response grids. The fact that PRV 5840 received the alert and police reached the spot fast enough to evacuate 40 passengers from a burning bus on a bridge at 1.38 am is commendable. But the incident also surfaces a recurring question: how many buses on long-distance overnight routes are operating with ageing or under-maintained electrical systems? A short circuit on a bridge at high speed, with 40 people aboard, could have ended very differently. Regulatory scrutiny of inter-state bus operators' vehicle fitness standards deserves attention beyond this single close call.
NationPress
14 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What caused the bus fire on the Yamuna Expressway in Mathura?
A suspected short circuit in the bus's electrical wiring is believed to have triggered the fire as the vehicle crossed the Raya Cut Bridge on the Yamuna Expressway. The preliminary finding has been reported by police; a detailed technical investigation is ongoing.
Were there any casualties in the Mathura bus fire?
No casualties were reported. All 40 passengers aboard the Khajuraho Travels bus were safely evacuated before the fire engulfed the vehicle, according to Mahavan Circle Officer Sanjeev Kumar Rai.
Which bus was involved and where was it travelling?
The bus, bearing registration number MP14ZH5063 and operated by Khajuraho Travels, was travelling from Kashmere Gate in Delhi to Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh. It was driven by Jitendra, a resident of Naugaon in Chhatarpur district.
How long did it take firefighters to control the blaze?
Firefighters took nearly one-and-a-half hours of sustained effort to fully bring the fire under control after arriving at the Raya Cut Bridge. Police Response Vehicle 5840 had first received the alert at approximately 1.38 am on 14 November.
What action will police take after the Mathura bus fire?
Officials stated that no formal complaint had been received as of the time of reporting. Police said further legal action would be initiated if a complaint is filed. Personnel remained deployed at the spot after the incident was contained.
