With practically 145 lives misplaced in sleeper bus accidents over the previous 4 months, the Centre has signalled a hardening stance on security violations, warning operators and producers that lapses will not be tolerated and repeat offenders will likely be pressured off the roads.

Secretary to the Union Ministry of Street Transport and Highways V Umashankar described sleeper bus security as a “very critical” situation and mentioned the Ministry’s evaluation of current crashes has thrown up systemic failures throughout manufacturing, health testing and on-ground enforcement. “In the case of the lives of individuals, enforcement of guidelines on the bottom must be tight,” he mentioned, including that these flouting norms should face licence cancellation and an entire ban from operations.

MANUFACTURING UNDER SCRUTINY

The primary main concern flagged by the Ministry pertains to how sleeper buses are constructed. Umashankar mentioned authorities should study whether or not security rules had been adopted throughout manufacturing. “We have to study whether or not rules had been correctly adopted on the time the bus was manufactured,” he mentioned.

To deal with this, a brand new Bus Physique Code got here into drive on October 1, 2025, making it obligatory for all newly registered buses to satisfy tighter design and security requirements. The revised code goals to scale back dangers equivalent to buses catching fireplace simply. Nevertheless, in gentle of the rising loss of life toll, the Ministry is now contemplating even more durable measures.

Umashankar mentioned the federal government is shifting in the direction of permitting bus manufacturing solely by means of Authentic Tools Producers. “Going ahead, bus manufacturing will likely be allowed solely by means of OEMs,” he mentioned, a transfer meant to get rid of unauthorised fabrication practices that compromise passenger security.

FITNESS TESTING FAILURES

The second situation recognized by the Ministry issues lapses in health testing and enforcement by state authorities. Referring to a deadly sleeper bus fireplace in Rajasthan, Umashankar mentioned the incident uncovered critical failures within the system. “There was an enormous failure in health testing on this case,” he mentioned, explaining that unauthorised alterations had been carried out by the bus proprietor even after the car had cleared obligatory checks.

He mentioned Union Street Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has suggested state transport ministers to automate health testing to take away human intervention and enhance transparency. Automated techniques, officers consider, will assist detect unsafe modifications and mechanical faults earlier than autos are cleared for long-distance journey.

ALTERATIONS AFTER CERTIFICATION

The third concern pertains to unauthorised adjustments made after health certificates are issued. Citing a sleeper bus accident in Andhra Pradesh, Umashankar mentioned investigations confirmed that a number of modifications had been carried out after certification. “This factors to the necessity for stricter compliance of the framed rulebook and extra vigilant enforcement by state authorities and police,” he mentioned.

He added that enforcement can’t cease at certification and should proceed by means of common inspections and strict roadside checks to discourage operators from bypassing security norms.

Reiterating the federal government’s place, Umashankar mentioned passenger security can’t be compromised below any circumstances. “If anybody is caught flouting norms, their licence needs to be withdrawn and so they shouldn’t be allowed to drive on roads,” he mentioned.

– Ends