Parliament Question: Implementation of Safety Standards in Long Distance Bus Travel

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. *****