In response to growing concerns over passenger safety, particularly in the wake of recent fire incidents involving sleeper buses, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has directed officials to conduct thorough checks of all sleeper buses by government-approved agencies. This directive aims to ensure strict adherence to safety standards and regulations, addressing the alarming rate of accidents and fatalities associated with these vehicles.
The move comes as the intercity bus sector faces increased scrutiny due to frequent bus fires and evidence of illegal modifications to sleeper buses, which have tragically resulted in numerous deaths. In October alone, two major incidents in Jaisalmer and Kurnool claimed 42 lives, sparking widespread debate about the safety of long-distance private bus networks in India.
Gadkari has been a vocal advocate for enhanced safety measures, emphasizing that illegal modification of sleeper buses is now a jailable offense. He has stressed the importance of complying with the newly amended AIS 153 bus body code, developed by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, which aims to prevent bus fires and ensure safer passenger travel. The AIS 153 code, which came into force on September 1, sets standards for design, construction, and testing of buses, ensuring uniform safety, quality, and passenger comfort. It also specifies requirements for fire safety systems and emergency exits.
The directive for safety checks aligns with existing regulations, including the Central Motor Vehicle (CMV) Rules and Automotive Industry Standards (AIS-119), which detail construction requirements for sleeper coaches under the Bus Body Code (AIS-052). These standards mandate crucial safety provisions such as a minimum of four emergency exits, Fire Detection and Suppression Systems (FDSS), fire-retardant materials for internal furnishings, and stipulated dimensions for berths and the central gangway.
However, experts have pointed out that the efficacy of these regulations is undermined by regulatory insufficiency and systemic non-compliance. Many older buses are exempt from essential modern safety upgrades, and the Fitness Certificate (FC), which confirms a bus's roadworthiness, is often allegedly compromised. Unorganized body builders often modify chassis and use substandard materials to cut costs, flouting safety standards. Emergency exits and roof hatches are sometimes removed to create space or reduce costs, and buses are sometimes extended beyond permissible lengths.
To address these issues, experts have suggested phasing out unsafe sleeper buses, allowing only factory-built certified sleeper coaches, stopping illegal conversions, mandating third-party safety checks, and imposing heavy fines for unsafe vehicles. They also emphasize the importance of passenger awareness regarding exits and fire safety tools.
Gadkari's recent directive is a step towards stricter enforcement and accountability. By mandating checks by government-approved agencies, the Ministry aims to identify and rectify safety violations, ensuring that all sleeper buses on the road adhere to the prescribed standards. This move is expected to enhance passenger safety, reduce the risk of fire incidents, and restore confidence in the intercity bus travel sector.
The focus on sleeper bus safety is also driven by the design's inherent inefficiencies, particularly during mass migration and festive crowding. Sleeper buses carry fewer passengers than semi-sleeper seated coaches, which are structurally safer and offer higher passenger density.
