New Safety Regulations for Sleeper Coach Buses Announced by Central Government
Central Government Tightens Sleeper Coach Bus Regulations
On Thursday, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari announced that only automotive companies or facilities specifically recognized by the central government will be allowed to manufacture sleeper coach buses. This decision aims to address the rising incidents of fires in these vehicles. The government also mandated that existing sleeper coach buses must be equipped with essential safety features, including fire detection systems, emergency lighting, and indicators for driver fatigue.
Enhanced Safety Measures for Sleeper Coaches
The central government has implemented stricter safety regulations for sleeper coach buses following several deadly fire incidents that claimed 145 lives in the past six months. Under the new framework, local and manual body manufacturers will no longer be permitted to produce sleeper buses. Additionally, all current sleeper buses must be retrofitted with necessary safety features such as fire detection systems, emergency lighting, driver fatigue alert systems (ADAS), emergency exits, and safety hammers. Gadkari noted that investigations into recent fire incidents revealed serious safety deficiencies in many sleeper coaches, including flammable interior materials, blocked exits, and a lack of basic fire extinguishing equipment.
New Regulations for Sleeper Buses
According to the new regulations, all sleeper buses must comply with the AIS-052 bus body code, along with a revised bus body code that will take effect on September 1, 2025. AIS-052 (Automotive Industry Standard-052) serves as India's official safety and design code for bus bodies. It establishes mandatory construction, safety, and structural standards that every bus body—whether manufactured in a factory or as a coach—must adhere to before being registered and operated on roads. The government stated that these measures aim to prevent future tragedies and significantly enhance passenger safety in long-distance sleeper coach services.
Fire Incidents Involving Sleeper Coaches
In the last six months, sleeper coach buses have been involved in six major fire incidents. These tragic events resulted in the loss of 145 lives, prompting the government to take immediate regulatory action. During a recent press conference, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways mentioned that he had written to the Rajasthan government, urging strict action against state officials who allowed manual body manufacturers to use self-certification.
The recent fires have highlighted several ongoing risks, such as flammable interior materials and blocked or narrow exit routes. Investigations often reveal missing or malfunctioning emergency windows, a complete lack of fire safety equipment, and inadequately trained staff to handle emergencies.
Standards for Sleeper Coach Buses
Sleeper coach buses must adhere to the AIS-052 bus body code, which is a mandatory national standard specifying structural, design, and safety requirements. This code is essential to ensure that all bus bodies manufactured in India meet high safety standards for passengers.
The introduction of this standard aims to regulate a previously unorganized manufacturing sector. By enforcing uniformity in production, the government seeks to significantly enhance safety for both drivers and passengers.
These buses are now governed by the revised bus body code, which the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will implement on September 1, 2025. This updated regulation is a crucial step towards modernizing fleets and preventing future fatalities on the roads.