news
An India At the moment Actuality Test of sleeper coach buses working in Delhi, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Bhopal and Jaipur has uncovered widespread security violations, with emergency exits blocked by seats and home windows obstructed, elevating severe considerations over passenger security.
India At the moment carried out an intensive actuality test on sleeper buses throughout 5 main cities to evaluate whether or not correct security administration is in place in case of emergency conditions.
This comes within the backdrop of several bus fire incidents throughout the nation which have raised considerations over passenger security and compliance with security norms.
Union Minister for Street Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari lately introduced a set of norms to be adopted by bus operators to mitigate hearth and different emergency conditions.
In response to guidelines mandated by the Centre, sleeper buses will need to have hearth detection programs, emergency exits with hammers, emergency lighting, and drowsiness alerts.
Gadkari acknowledged that car firms and accredited producers will now be allowed to fabricate and provide sleeper buses. Nevertheless, he clarified that present rules for sleeper buses have to be adopted.
The fact test was carried out in Delhi, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Lucknow and Jaipur on buses working on a number of routes.
FROM DELHI
Delhi–Ballia route, Mori Gate test
Some transporters are brazenly flouting the brand new guidelines by carrying items in sleeper buses, violating the AIS-052 (Bus Physique Code) and AIS-119 (Sleeper Coaches) norms set by the federal government.
A Delhi–Ballia bus, masking a distance of roughly 1,000 kilometres a technique, was discovered full of baggage. Baggage was additionally loaded on high of the bus.
Whereas the motive force’s facet had hearth safety, the one meant for passengers remained inaccessible.
As for exit and evacuation, there are 4 doorways—two emergency doorways and one foremost door. These emergency doorways are fully lined, with a seat positioned in entrance of considered one of them.
Moreover, there isn’t any ladder to exit by the six-foot-high door. There isn’t any hammer both, and the situation of the wiring is alarming.
One other bus working between Delhi and Jodhpur was discovered to be higher geared up, with hearth safety programs on the entrance and rear for passengers, a first-aid equipment, a hammer for travellers, and clear emergency doorways. The roof of the bus additionally had no baggage carriers.
India At the moment/Aaj Tak carried out a actuality test of 4 buses parked at Mori Gate and located quite a few flaws. The transporter had taken care of neither comfort nor security.
MOHALI AND CHANDIGARH
The Aaj Tak group reached Mohali and Chandigarh to evaluate the fact of sleeper buses.
The group discovered exit home windows within the buses, however no main adjustments had been made in step with the brand new instructions and guidelines.
Whereas emergency exits have been current, in some buses they appeared to have been added later, leading to operational points.
Bus drivers had additionally positioned seats in entrance of emergency exits.
Inside buses sure for Chandigarh, Jaipur and Jammu, passengers travelling on the Jammu-bound ‘Zimindara Bus’ stated they have been solely knowledgeable concerning the emergency exit, with no different security directions supplied.
Upon inspection, it was discovered that home windows had been put in in locations the place emergency exits ought to have been positioned.
Neither hearth security nor hearth safety programs have been discovered, nor have been there any fire-resistant bedding supplies, curtains or materials.
There have been violations in offering emergency exits, reflectors, hammers on each seat, and separate compartments.
Regardless of adjustments in guidelines, buses are being placed on the roads after steady modifications, and drivers stated it might take one other two to 3 months for buses to change into absolutely compliant.
Drivers claimed that the size and width of buses adhere to prescribed requirements and that operations are carried out as per government-issued permits.
Passengers on 4 inspected buses admitted they have been travelling in concern, with no security data supplied aside from the emergency exit.
BHOPAL TO NAGPUR
When the Aaj Tak group entered an AC sleeper bus travelling from Bhopal to Nagpur at night time, they discovered a slender hall that allowed just one individual to exit at a time.
A fast exit in case of an emergency can be almost inconceivable.
Modifications to the sleeper mannequin concerned the usage of extremely flammable supplies resembling wooden, plywood, material, foam, wiring and plastic.
Regardless of the bus masking lengthy distances, just one hearth extinguisher was discovered, positioned on the entrance.
No instruments resembling hammers have been out there to interrupt home windows in case of fireside.
An emergency gate was positioned on the rear, however its deal with was jammed and rusted, indicating it had not been utilized in years.
Commenting on Gadkari’s assertion, bus operator Virendra Kumar Rai stated,
“The federal government’s concept is sweet, but it surely should ban firms from promoting solely the chassis. Buses ought to be bought as full items, identical to vehicles.”
He added, “A partition is required between the motive force and passengers to scale back noise and warmth. Nevertheless, and not using a partition, passengers wouldn’t be capable to sleep, whereas the motive force additionally wants stimulation to remain awake.”
Most buses from Bhopal function to Maharashtra, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
A complete of 5,787 sleeper buses are registered in Madhya Pradesh, of which 3,472 (about 60%) are AC buses.
Key violations discovered
1. Required emergency exits lacking or blocked
2. Incorrect gate dimensions
3. No ladders for emergency exits
4. No exit hatches
5. Sealed home windows
6. No hammers on seats
7. No reflective markings
8. Unlawful driver cabin partitions
9. Inadequate hearth extinguishers
10. No hearth detection programs
11. Use of flammable supplies
12. Unlawful baggage carriers
JAIPUR
Following latest bus hearth incidents in Rajasthan, enhancements in sleeper bus security requirements are being noticed. After Aaj Tak’s marketing campaign, sleeper buses in Jaipur have been fitted with emergency gates and hearth extinguishers. Nevertheless, some buses—particularly these arriving from Uttar Pradesh—nonetheless have sleeper seats positioned in entrance of emergency exits.
After Aaj Tak’s marketing campaign, sleeper buses at the moment are geared up with important options like emergency gates and hearth extinguishers.
After 30 folks died in a sleeper bus hearth in Jaisalmer and Jaipur, considerations about non-compliance with security requirements in sleeper buses got here to mild. These buses lacked emergency gates or hearth extinguishing programs.
Following this, Aaj Tak launched a marketing campaign, and Rajasthan Transport Division officers initiated a drive to grab such buses.
The outcomes are seen.
In Jaipur, all buses have been fitted with emergency gates and hearth extinguishers.
Nevertheless, some buses nonetheless have further sleeper seats in entrance of the emergency gates, particularly these coming from Uttar Pradesh.
LUCKNOW
Bus 1:
The bus has all of the emergency services, however passengers are usually not conscious of it. It options hearth alarms, first help, emergency exits, a hammer to interrupt the glass, and a drowsiness indicator for the motive force. Nevertheless, a passenger on the identical bus stated, “We did not even know this bus had all this. It will be higher if, like is completed on planes, bus operators additionally supplied directions on what to do in case of an emergency.”
Bus 2:
Damaged glass, seats on the emergency gate, passengers say depend on God. When Aaj Tak entered the second bus, the glass of the bus was discovered damaged. The motive force stated {that a} hen had are available in entrance of him, however no effort was made to restore it after that. As an alternative of an emergency exit, a sitting seat was positioned there.
No hammer to interrupt the glass nor any hearth gear inside. The passengers stated that they have been travelling and praying to God for his or her security.
Bus 3:
A sleeper seat with a pillow was discovered rather than the emergency exit. No drowsiness system put in for the motive force. On questioning, the motive force stated that there’s a digital camera put in and if the proprietor sees him sleeping, he calls up.
The query is, if the proprietor can be sleeping, then who will guarantee passengers’ security? A sleeper seat with a pillow has been positioned proper subsequent to the emergency gate. If the car catches hearth, will the folks bounce over the passengers to return out?
Aaj Tak’s group reached Transport Nagar, the place a whole lot of personal buses are parked. Exit home windows are current in lots of buses, however in some buses these have been made later. Home windows are made in lots of locations, together with in areas meant for emergency exit. At a number of locations, berths have been positioned as a substitute of exits.
In the meantime, bus driver Mahesh defined that the size and width of the buses are in accordance with established requirements, they usually function in response to government-issued permits.
One other driver, Adil Khan, stated bus modifications are carried out by totally different firms, making it tough to repair duty on any single agency.
– Ends
Inputs from Ashish Srivastava
Tune In
