Lok Sabha Question No. 3072 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-18
Subject: Implementation of Safety Standards in Long Distance Bus Travel
Ministry: ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS
Asked by: Shri Sribharat Mathukumilli, Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3072 ANSWERED ON 18 th  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.
2. 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
- II. provided for buses above 12m length.
4. Mandatory installation of fire detection and suppression system
- III. 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)  and

Non-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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