Karnataka Government Imposes Strict February Deadline for Bus Safety Compliance
In response to a series of alarming fire incidents involving sleeper and semi-sleeper buses across Karnataka, the state government has issued a firm deadline for private operators to implement enhanced safety measures. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has announced that all operators must comply with the new regulations by February 28, 2024.
Specific Safety Directives Issued to Operators
The state transport department has issued detailed instructions to both bus operators and body builders, mandating adherence to prescribed safety standards to protect passengers. Key measures include the mandatory removal of partition doors located behind the driver's cabin. These barriers have been identified as significant obstacles during emergency evacuations, particularly in fire situations where they block access to the front exit.
Additionally, the use of manual sliders for berths in air-conditioned sleeper buses has been officially banned. Many private buses had installed these sliders as replacements for curtains, creating additional safety hazards during emergencies. The department has emphasized that such modifications compromise passenger safety and must be eliminated.
Comprehensive Safety Requirements Mandated
The enhanced safety protocol includes several critical requirements:
- Fire extinguishers must be installed in all sleeper buses to provide immediate response capability during fire incidents.
- Bus bodies constructed through illegal chassis extensions are now strictly prohibited, addressing structural safety concerns.
- Operators who fail to meet these revised standards by the February deadline will face strict enforcement action from transport officials.
Legal Basis and Enforcement Mechanisms
Minister Reddy clarified that these guidelines align with directives from the National Human Rights Commission, which instructed all state governments to implement the safety study report prepared by the Central Institute of Road Transport. The government has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to non-compliance, with Reddy explicitly stating that fitness certificates will not be issued to sleeper buses that fail to meet the updated safety norms.
This comprehensive safety initiative follows multiple fire incidents that have raised serious concerns about passenger safety in long-distance sleeper buses operating throughout Karnataka. The February 28 deadline provides operators with a clear timeframe to modify their vehicles and ensure compliance with the enhanced safety standards.
