NEW DELHI: As most sleeper coaches and long-haul buses stay exterior the ambit of the necessary Bus Physique Code that got here into impact in September 2025, offering a straightforward escape for operators and native transport authorities, the federal government is ready to subject a compulsory guidelines of security options that regional transport workplaces (RTOs) should confirm whereas renewing registration and health certificates.Highway transport minister Nitin Gadkari this week held a gathering on the latest bus hearth incidents in Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, and directed officers to take crucial steps, together with writing to state govts for stricter enforcement and compliance of notified norms by transport departments.TOI has learnt that the guidelines — geared toward stopping mishaps like fires and guaranteeing quicker evacuation of passengers in emergencies — will embrace provisions such at the least 450 mm passageway, no less than 4 emergency doorways, fire-resistant electrical gear and wiring, two hearth extinguishers, a hearth detection and suppression system (FDSS), and hammers at every berth to interrupt glass home windows throughout emergencies.Sources stated different objects on the guidelines embrace provisions for fixing yellow reflective tapes alongside the sting of the passageway and retro-reflective tapes on all borders of the within face of emergency doorways.Whereas a number of of those provisions — forming a part of the Automotive Trade Requirements — have been notified in phases since 2016 and got here into pressure after March 2017, their enforcement stays a problem.Officers added that since these norms are already in place, and with extra necessities resembling necessary emergency lighting of the passageway and elimination of partition doorways between driver and passenger sections from July this 12 months, these options will be included within the guidelines for older buses once they come for health assessments and renewal of registration.Compliance with the Bus Physique Code was voluntary earlier than Sept 2025, and RTOs granted permissions based mostly on self-declarations submitted by physique builders claiming adherence to the norms. Nevertheless, from Sept onwards, all totally constructed buses with seating capability exceeding 22 passengers require kind approval from govt-recognised testing companies, and self-certification is now not permitted.In the meantime, in an attraction, the Bus and Automobile Operators Confederation of India (BOCI) urged its members to not draw back from taking accountability for hearth incidents by giving lame excuses, however as an alternative to take rapid corrective measures. “If we don't take due care of passenger security, the survival of personal bus operations — and of sleeper coaches on the whole — will probably be in danger,” BOCI chief Prasanna Patwardhan stated, interesting to members to stick strictly to the Bus Physique Code and guarantee full compliance with all authorized necessities.New mannequin of buses & vehicles to have Superior Driver Help System from 2027All new mannequin buses and vehicles might want to have Superior Driver Help System (ADAS) from Oct 2027 and present fashions will want them from Jan 2028. ADAS will embrace options resembling computerized emergency braking system, driver drowsiness alert system and lane departure warning system. These modifications intention to stop crashes by alerting drivers and making use of brakes if there's a delay of their response.
