India Today carried out an extensive reality check on sleeper buses operating in five major cities—Delhi, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Lucknow, and Jaipur—to assess whether operators provide adequate safety arrangements during emergencies. The team conducted the exercise amid growing concern over multiple bus fire incidents reported across the country.
Also Read : Germany’s Merz suggests EU–India trade deal could be finalised by end of January
Emergency preparedness lacking on sleeper bus routes across key cities
The investigation revealed widespread violations of safety norms. Inspectors found several buses with emergency exits blocked by seats, windows obstructed, missing hammers, poor wiring, and luggage stuffed inside passenger areas, all of which would make evacuation difficult in case of fire or other emergencies.
Despite Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari announcing new safety guidelines—including fire detection systems, emergency lighting, accessible exits, and drowsiness alerts—many operators flouted rules such as AIS-052 and AIS-119. Some buses illegally carried goods and luggage on rooftops. While a few buses met safety standards, the overall findings highlighted serious lapses in enforcement and raised concerns over passenger safety, showing that operators inconsistently comply with government-mandated norms across cities.
Also Read : Apple, Google Finalize Gemini AI Deal to Power Revamped Siri