Reality Check: How sleeper buses are flouting safety norms across India

An India Today Reality Check of sleeper coach buses operating in Delhi, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Bhopal and Jaipur has uncovered widespread safety violations, with emergency exits blocked by seats and windows obstructed, raising serious concerns over passenger safety.

India Today conducted a thorough reality check on sleeper buses across five major cities to assess whether proper safety management is in place in case of emergency situations.

This comes in the backdrop of several bus fire incidents across the country that have raised concerns over passenger safety and compliance with safety norms.

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently announced a set of norms to be followed by bus operators to mitigate fire and other emergency situations.

According to rules mandated by the Centre, sleeper buses must have fire detection systems, emergency exits with hammers, emergency lighting, and drowsiness alerts.

Gadkari stated that automobile companies and accredited manufacturers will now be allowed to manufacture and supply sleeper buses. However, he clarified that existing regulations for sleeper buses must be followed.

The reality check was carried out in Delhi, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Lucknow and Jaipur on buses operating on several routes.

FROM DELHI

Delhi–Ballia route, Mori Gate check

Some transporters are openly flouting the new rules by carrying goods in sleeper buses, violating the AIS-052 (Bus Body Code) and AIS-119 (Sleeper Coaches) norms set by the government.

A Delhi–Ballia bus, covering a distance of approximately 1,000 kilometres one way, was found stuffed with luggage. Luggage was also loaded on top of the bus.

While the driver’s side had fire protection, the one meant for passengers remained inaccessible.

As for exit and evacuation, there are four doors—two emergency doors and one main door. These emergency doors are completely covered, with a seat placed in front of one of them.

Furthermore, there is no ladder to exit through the six-foot-high door. There is no hammer either, and the condition of the wiring is alarming.

Another bus running between Delhi and Jodhpur was found to be better equipped, with fire protection systems at the front and rear for passengers, a first-aid kit, a hammer for travellers, and clear emergency doors. The roof of the bus also had no luggage carriers.

India Today/Aaj Tak conducted a reality check of four buses parked at Mori Gate and found numerous flaws. The transporter had taken care of neither convenience nor safety.

MOHALI AND CHANDIGARH

The Aaj Tak team reached Mohali and Chandigarh to assess the reality of sleeper buses.

The team found exit windows in the buses, but no major changes had been made in line with the new directions and rules.

While emergency exits were present, in some buses they appeared to have been added later, resulting in operational issues.

Bus drivers had also placed seats in front of emergency exits.

Inside buses bound for Chandigarh, Jaipur and Jammu, passengers travelling on the Jammu-bound ‘Zimindara Bus’ said they were only informed about the emergency exit, with no other safety instructions provided.

Upon inspection, it was found that windows had been installed in places where emergency exits should have been located.

Neither fire safety nor fire protection systems were found, nor were there any fire-resistant bedding materials, curtains or fabrics.

There were violations in providing emergency exits, reflectors, hammers on every seat, and separate compartments.

Despite changes in rules, buses are being put on the roads after continuous modifications, and drivers said it would take another two to three months for buses to become fully compliant.

Drivers claimed that the length and width of buses adhere to prescribed standards and that operations are conducted as per government-issued permits.

Passengers on four inspected buses admitted they were travelling in fear, with no safety information provided apart from the emergency exit.

BHOPAL TO NAGPUR

When the Aaj Tak team entered an AC sleeper bus travelling from Bhopal to Nagpur at night, they found a narrow corridor that allowed only one person to exit at a time.

A quick exit in case of an emergency would be nearly impossible.

Modifications to the sleeper model involved the use of highly flammable materials such as wood, plywood, fabric, foam, wiring and plastic.

Despite the bus covering long distances, only one fire extinguisher was found, located at the front.

No tools such as hammers were available to break windows in case of fire.

An emergency gate was located at the rear, but its handle was jammed and rusted, indicating it had not been used in years.

Commenting on Gadkari’s statement, bus operator Virendra Kumar Rai said,

“The government’s idea is good, but it must ban companies from selling only the chassis. Buses should be sold as complete units, just like cars.”

He added, “A partition is needed between the driver and passengers to reduce noise and heat. However, without a partition, passengers would not be able to sleep, while the driver also needs stimulation to stay awake.”

Most buses from Bhopal operate to Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

A total of 5,787 sleeper buses are registered in Madhya Pradesh, of which 3,472 (about 60%) are AC buses.

Key violations found

1. Required emergency exits missing or blocked

2. Incorrect gate dimensions

3. No ladders for emergency exits

4. No exit hatches

5. Sealed windows

6. No hammers on seats

7. No reflective markings

8. Illegal driver cabin partitions

9. Insufficient fire extinguishers

10. No fire detection systems

11. Use of flammable materials

12. Illegal luggage carriers

JAIPUR

Following recent bus fire incidents in Rajasthan, improvements in sleeper bus safety standards are being observed. After Aaj Tak’s campaign, sleeper buses in Jaipur have been fitted with emergency gates and fire extinguishers. However, some buses—especially those arriving from Uttar Pradesh—still have sleeper seats placed in front of emergency exits.

After Aaj Tak's campaign, sleeper buses are now equipped with essential features like emergency gates and fire extinguishers.
After 30 people died in a sleeper bus fire in Jaisalmer and Jaipur, concerns about non-compliance with safety standards in sleeper buses came to light. These buses lacked emergency gates or fire extinguishing systems.

Following this, Aaj Tak launched a campaign, and Rajasthan Transport Department officials initiated a drive to seize such buses.

The results are visible.

In Jaipur, all buses were fitted with emergency gates and fire extinguishers.

However, some buses still have additional sleeper seats in front of the emergency gates, especially those coming from Uttar Pradesh.

LUCKNOW

- Ends

Inputs from Ashish Srivastava

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