Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Jan 17: With nearly 145 people losing their lives in sleeper bus accidents over the past four months, the Centre has taken a tough stand on safety violations, warning operators and manufacturers that non-compliance will no longer be tolerated and repeat offenders will be forced off the roads.
Secretary to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, V Umashankar, termed sleeper bus safety a “very serious” concern and said the Ministry’s review of recent accidents has revealed systemic failures in manufacturing, fitness certification and ground-level enforcement.
“When it comes to the lives of people, enforcement of rules on the ground has to be tight,” Umashankar said, stressing that those found flouting safety norms must face licence cancellation and a complete ban from operations.
He said one of the key issues flagged relates to the manufacturing of sleeper buses, with authorities now examining whether safety regulations were properly followed at the time of construction. A new Bus Body Code, which came into force on October 1, 2025, mandates stricter design and safety standards for all newly registered buses to reduce risks such as fires. In view of the rising death toll, the Ministry is considering even tougher measures, including allowing bus manufacturing only through Original Equipment Manufacturers to eliminate unsafe, unauthorised fabrication practices.
Another major concern is the failure of fitness testing and enforcement by state authorities. Referring to a deadly sleeper bus fire in Rajasthan, Umashankar said the incident exposed serious lapses, with unauthorised alterations being carried out even after the vehicle had cleared mandatory fitness checks. Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari has advised states to move towards automated fitness testing to reduce human intervention and improve transparency.
The Ministry has also flagged unauthorised alterations made after fitness certificates are issued. Citing an accident in Andhra Pradesh, Umashankar said multiple modifications were found to have been carried out post-certification, underscoring the need for stricter compliance and more vigilant enforcement by transport authorities and police.
Reiterating the government’s zero-tolerance approach, Umashankar said passenger safety cannot be compromised under any circumstances. “If anyone is caught flouting norms, their licence should be withdrawn and they should not be allowed to drive on roads,” he said.