Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru
Bengaluru, Jan 5: In the wake of a series of fire mishaps involving private night service sleeper coaches and air-conditioned buses, which have claimed the lives of several innocent passengers on Karnataka and National Highways, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has gone into full alert mode, unveiling a comprehensive safety overhaul across its premium bus fleet.
Amid growing public concern and calls for a thorough audit of passenger safety in long-distance overnight travel, the State-run transporter has announced a multi-layered safety plan, including the installation of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), dash cameras, saloon cameras, fire detection systems and enhanced emergency evacuation mechanisms in its buses.
As part of the first phase, KSRTC has begun implementing advanced safety features in its Ambaari Utsav (a/c sleeper) and Ambari 2.0 buses, while also announcing that all sleeper buses will soon be fitted with dash cams and saloon cameras to monitor driver behaviour and driving patterns.
Reaffirming that passenger safety remains a top priority, KSRTC has published detailed safety protocols and checklists for commuters travelling in its Pallakki AC and Non-AC Sleeper, Corona AC and Non-AC Sleeper, Airavata Club Class Seater, Ambaari Utsav and Ambaari Dream Class services. These guidelines aim to familiarise passengers with on-board safety equipment and emergency response systems.
Fire detection, suppression and emergency evacuation
According to an official KSRTC release, all modern sleeper buses in its fleet, including Pallakki and Ambaari series buses, are equipped with Fire Detection and Suppression Systems (FDSS). The system is designed to detect early signs of fire and automatically suppress flames before they spread.
In Ambaari Utsav AC sleeper buses, if a fire breaks out in the engine compartment, foam is automatically sprayed through 15 nozzles. If the automatic system fails, the driver can manually activate it using a button on the dashboard. For this purpose, a 4-kg foam cylinder has been installed at the rear of the bus.
To aid evacuation, a large hammer has been placed behind the driver’s seat to break the front windscreen, while additional hammers have been installed near every berth seat to break window glass in emergencies. Each bus is also equipped with two 4-kg fire extinguishers, positioned at the front and rear, along with a panic button near the driver’s seat that emits a loud alert sound to warn passengers.
An emergency exit door has been installed at the third berth on the right side of the bus, which will not be allotted to passengers and will remain vacant at all times. The interior of the buses is monitored through saloon cameras.
ADAS, dash cams and driver monitoring
For the first time in the country, KSRTC has begun installing the Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) in its buses. The system issues alerts if the driver uses a mobile phone while driving, shows signs of drowsiness, or experiences health-related issues. It initially emits a beep sound, followed by a critical warning, and automatically reduces vehicle speed to prevent accidents.
Significantly, if a driver attempts to operate the bus under the influence of alcohol, the vehicle will not start, officials said.
“The dash cams and saloon cameras installed in Ambaari Utsav buses help monitor driver behaviour, driving patterns and safety-related issues on-board,” the KSRTC release stated. “Very soon, all sleeper buses will be fitted with dash cams and saloon cameras to enhance passenger safety," the release added.
Additional measures in Airavata buses
In Airavata buses, KSRTC has installed 30 sprinkler nozzles near passenger seats, which automatically release water in the event of a fire. To support this system, two stainless steel tanks with a combined capacity of 170 litres have been installed near the luggage compartment.
KSRTC divisional controller Nagaraj Murthy said, “An emergency exit door has been installed at the rear right side of the bus along with a steel ladder, enabling passengers to safely alight during emergencies.”
KSRTC officials have also appealed to passengers to familiarise themselves with on-board safety equipment, particularly emergency hammers, and advised them to strike the corners of window glass for quicker evacuation during critical situations.
With repeated fire incidents in private night service buses causing widespread concern and loss of life, KSRTC’s sweeping safety measures underline that the corporation is now fully alert and committed to strengthening passenger safety across its fleet.