Safety Lapses Exposed
An investigation by India Today uncovered severe safety violations in sleeper coach buses across several cities, including Delhi, Lucknow, Chandigarh,
Bhopal, and Jaipur. The report revealed crucial safety equipment missing or obstructed, like blocked emergency exits due to luggage or seats, absent fire extinguishers, and hindered window access. This prompted authorities to react to the safety risks highlighted by the investigation and address the loopholes that made these buses unsafe. The investigation exposed issues such as deceptive markings on emergency gates, making them unusable, missing safety hammers, and corridors choked with luggage, posing significant threats in case of an emergency.
Swift Government Action
Following the India Today report, governments in Delhi and Rajasthan took immediate action against non-compliant sleeper buses. Delhi launched “Operation Deadly Permit,” conducting late-night raids, while Rajasthan's Transport Department issued challans and seized dozens of buses. Punjab and Uttar Pradesh also pledged strict measures. Authorities impounded about one and a half dozen buses during checks in Delhi. In Rajasthan, the impact was visible on the ground. Several buses were seized from Jaipur’s Sindhi Camp area, where emergency exits were blocked inside by sleeper berths. Authorities took swift action after seeing the expose and acted within hours of the report being published, as confirmed by Transport Minister Pankaj Singh. This rapid response underscores the commitment to passenger safety after the revelations.
Violations and Penalties
The investigation revealed egregious violations, such as luggage blocking emergency gates and seats obstructing escape routes. One bus traveling from Ahmedabad to Jaipur, belonging to Parsvanath Travels, was seized after such an incident, leading to passenger disembarkation. Other buses were found with seats installed in front of emergency gates, leading to challans. Illegal roof structures on buses were demolished during the drives. These actions are part of a broader effort to ensure buses comply with safety standards and protect passengers. The crackdown underscores the severity of the violations, and the necessity of immediate action to rectify these lapses and prevent potential accidents. Furthermore, the authorities are conducting investigations and taking action on the ground where safety standards are being openly flouted.
Regulatory Response
In response to the identified safety failures, existing sleeper buses have been directed to retrofit essential safety features. This includes fire detection systems, emergency lighting, driver drowsiness alert systems (ADAS), emergency exits, and safety hammers. The central government has also tightened regulations regarding sleeper buses, limiting their construction to accredited automobile companies, which effectively bans local and manual body builders from constructing such buses. These regulatory measures show a shift to prevent any company from risking passengers' lives. Authorities have vowed to enforce these rules. If buses are found to violate rules, they will definitely be stopped.
Impact and Future Steps
The India Today investigation and subsequent government actions have had a significant impact on sleeper bus safety across several states. Uttar Pradesh’s Transport Minister, Daya Shankar Singh, confirmed the government's commitment to take strict action against violators, mirroring actions taken in the past, including seizing buses and suspending ARTOs. The expose served as a wake-up call, prompting immediate action and setting a precedent for enhanced scrutiny. The focus is now on proactive enforcement, regular inspections, and adherence to safety norms to ensure passenger safety. The aim is to create a safer environment for travelers and prevent future accidents, making the entire transport system safer for everyone. Future measures include constant checks and stringent actions.
