**Executive Summary**
This document summarizes the Indian government's response to concerns regarding safety standards in long-distance bus travel. The response, addressed in Lok Sabha on December 18, 2025, details existing regulations and planned measures to enhance bus safety, focusing on vehicle modifications and standardized safety features. A key advisory regarding compliance with AIS:052 and AIS:119 comes into effect on September 1, 2025.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Existing Regulations and Amendments:**
* G.S.R. 905(E) dated September 23, 2016, mandates testing and approval for sleeper coach body building according to AIS 119(Rev. 1) 2016, with periodic amendments since 2017 for additional safety.
* **Safety Feature Requirements:**
* Two fire extinguishers (10 kg total) are required: one near the driver and one in the passenger compartment.
* Buses up to 12m long must have 4 exits (emergency door, two hatches, and a window/glass exit); longer buses require an additional hatch.
* Mandatory installation of fire detection and suppression systems in the engine compartment and other fire-prone areas.
* No separation is allowed between the passenger and driver compartments.
* **OEM Compliance:**
* G.S.R. 159 (E) dated March 6, 2024, enforces a Level Playing Field between Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and Non-OEM Bus Body Builders for buses with seating capacity exceeding 22 passengers (excluding the driver).
* **Advisory to States/UTs:**
* An advisory has been issued to all States/UTs for strict compliance of AIS:052 and AIS:119 during registration and fitness inspections per Rule 62 of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
* This is effective from September 1, 2025.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** Bus Manufacturers (OEM and Non-OEM)
* **Impact:** Must adhere to AIS 119 for sleeper coach construction and ensure standardized safety features are installed.
* **Action Required:** Comply with G.S.R. 159 (E) to ensure a Level Playing Field, implement necessary design and manufacturing changes.
**Stakeholder:** State/UT Transport Authorities
* **Impact:** Responsible for enforcing compliance with AIS:052 and AIS:119 during vehicle registration and fitness inspections.
* **Action Required:** Ensure strict adherence to the advisory, implement inspection procedures, and enforce the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989.
**Stakeholder:** Bus Operators
* **Impact:** Need to ensure buses meet the revised safety standards and are compliant with the regulations.
* **Action Required:** Upgrade existing fleets and ensure future purchases meet all requirements.
**Stakeholder:** Passengers
* **Impact:** Increased safety features in long-distance buses.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required, but benefits from improved safety standards.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: The primary ministry responsible for road transport policies in India, and issuer of the notifications mentioned in the document.
Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989: The regulatory framework governing motor vehicles in India, which is referenced for compliance regarding safety standards and fitness inspection.
AIS:119: Automotive Industry Standard related to the testing and approval for body building of sleeper coaches.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3072
ANSWERED ON 18th DECEMBER, 2025
IMPLEMENTATION OF SAFETY STANDARDS IN LONG DISTANCE BUS
TRAVEL
3072. SHRI SRIBHARAT MATHUKUMILLI:
SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:
Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
सड़क परिवहन औि िाजमार्ग मंत्री
be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken note of increasing safety
concerns in long distance and inter-State bus travel particularly
arising from unauthorised structural modifications, installation of
unapproved sleeper berths and non-compliance with certified vehicle
designs;
(b) whether any steps are being taken by the Government to
strengthen enforcement mechanisms including Central Motor Vehicle
Rules to prevent such re-modification of buses after registration;
(c) whether the Government proposes to mandate real-time tracking
and monitoring of safety critical features such as speed governors,
emergency exits, GPS location and driving behaviour through
integrated systems for buses;
(d) whether the Government proposes to establish a national
framework for AI-based surveillance to detect and curb unauthorized
structural modifications such as converting seating coaches into
sleeper coaches by private operators and if so, the details thereof;(e) if not, the reasons therefor and the steps being taken to ensure
passenger safety, accountability and regulatory compliance across all
highway transport operations;
(f) whether the Government proposes to ask manufacturers to install
standardised safety features in all long distance buses at the
production stage such as certified sleeper layouts, factory fitted speed
caps, fire suppression systems and rollover protection; and
(g) if so, the details thereof and if not, whether the Government plans
to examine such measures in light of recent bus accident trends?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
(SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)
(a) to (g) The Government in the Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways vide G.S.R. 905(E) dated 23rd September, 2016 notified that
the testing and approval for body building of sleeper coaches shall be
in accordance with AIS 119(Rev. 1) 2016. This has been amended
periodically to incorporate additional safety provisions since 2017.
Some of the features / requirements are detailed as under :
I. Two units of fire extinguishers (total capacity 10 kg), one near
driver and one in passenger compartment.
II. As per standard, 4 exits (1 exit for emergency door, 2 exits
for hatches and 1 exit for window or glass) have been provided
for buses of 12 m length. Further, one additional hatch has to be
provided for buses above 12m length.
III. Mandatory installation of fire detection and suppression system
in engine compartment and other fire-prone areas.
IV. No separation between passenger and driver compartment for
all type of buses.
The Ministry vide G.S.R 159 (E) dated 06.03.2024 has notified Level
Playing Field between Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) andNon-OEM Bus Body Builders for buses with seating capacity exceeding
22 passengers excluding driver with effect from 1st Sept 2025.
Further, the Government in the Ministry of Road Transport and
Highways has issued an advisory to all States/UTs for strict
compliance of AIS:052 and AIS:119 at the time of registration and
during fitness inspection as per Rule 62 of the Central Motor Vehicles
Rules, 1989.
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