The Odisha government has initiated a stringent enforcement drive against sleeper coach buses illegally fitted with driver-partition doors. Regional transport offices across the state have launched a week-long crackdown starting Wednesday, targeting vehicles that violate safety norms under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules and Automotive Industry Standards.
Prohibition of Partition Doors
According to transport department officials, partition doors separating the driver's compartment from the passenger area are strictly prohibited under existing regulations. Authorities emphasize that such barriers can significantly hinder evacuation through the front exit during fire emergencies, posing a serious risk to passenger safety.
An order issued by the state transport authority on Tuesday directs all RTOs to conduct a seven-day enforcement drive against unauthorized driver-partition doors. Inspectors will examine sleeper bus body designs and issue challans to violators. Bus operators and body manufacturers have been instructed to adhere strictly to prescribed safety norms.
Recent Tragedies Prompt Action
The crackdown follows several fatal bus fire incidents across the country. On October 14, 2025, a bus fire on the Jaisalmer–Jodhpur highway in Rajasthan claimed 20 lives. Just ten days later, on October 24, 19 passengers died in a sleeper bus blaze at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh. The transport department stated that the enforcement drive is imperative to prevent similar tragedies in Odisha.
NHRC Directives
The National Human Rights Commission in November last year directed all states to enforce mandatory safety measures, including the removal of partition doors, installation of fire detection and suppression systems, and stricter certification of bus body builders. The NHRC termed violations of CMVR and AIS standards as criminal negligence and urged state governments to fix accountability on both bus operators and transport officials who approve fitness certifications for non-compliant vehicles.
Fire Safety Protocols
The Odisha fire and emergency service recently prepared a standard operating procedure to strengthen fire safety protocols in buses. The SOP requires bus owners to conduct safety audits and ensure adequate fire equipment, with fire service personnel guiding operators on compliance.
Road safety expert Subrat Nanda highlighted additional concerns, noting that many sleeper coaches illegally use manual sliders for berths instead of curtains, creating extra risks during emergencies. The transport department has reiterated that all sleeper buses must be equipped with fire extinguishers, and bus bodies built in violation of AIS norms, such as through illegal chassis or body extensions, are strictly prohibited.
