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Reality Check: How sleeper buses are flouting safety norms across India

January 12, 2026

Reality Check: How sleeper buses are flouting safety norms across India India Today conducted a thorough reality check on sleeper buses across five major cities to assess whether proper safety management is in place in case of emergency situations. This comes in the backdrop of several bus fire incidents across the country that have raised concerns over passenger safety and compliance with safety norms. AdvertisementThe reality check was carried out in Delhi, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Lucknow and Jaipur on buses operating on several routes. Samarth SrivastavaSharat KumarRavish Pal SinghHimanshu MishraNew Delhi,UPDATED: Jan 13, 2026 02:10 ISTAn India Today Reality Check of sleeper coach buses operating in Delhi, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Bhopal and Jaipur has uncovered widespread safety violations, with emergency exits blocked by seats and windows obstructed, raising serious concerns over passenger safety. India Today conducted a thorough reality check on sleeper buses across five major cities to assess whether proper safety management is in place in case of emergency situations. advertisementThis comes in the backdrop of several bus fire incidents across the country that have raised concerns over passenger safety and compliance with safety norms. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari recently announced a set of norms to be followed by bus operators to mitigate fire and other emergency situations. According to rules mandated by the Centre, sleeper buses must have fire detection systems, emergency exits with hammers, emergency lighting, and drowsiness alerts. Gadkari stated that automobile companies and accredited manufacturers will now be allowed to manufacture and supply sleeper buses.

The reality check was carried out in Delhi, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Lucknow and Jaipur on buses operating on several routes

Credit: Indiatoday

Key Highlights

However, he clarified that existing regulations for sleeper buses must be followed. The reality check was carried out in Delhi, Chandigarh, Bhopal, Lucknow and Jaipur on buses operating on several routes. FROM DELHIDelhi–Ballia route, Mori Gate checkSome transporters are openly flouting the new rules by carrying goods in sleeper buses, violating the AIS-052 (Bus Body Code) and AIS-119 (Sleeper Coaches) norms set by the government. A Delhi–Ballia bus, covering a distance of approximately 1,000 kilometres one way, was found stuffed with luggage.
Luggage was also loaded on top of the bus. While the driver’s side had fire protection, the one meant for passengers remained inaccessible. As for exit and evacuation, there are four doors—two emergency doors and one main door.
These emergency doors are completely covered, with a seat placed in front of one of them. Furthermore, there is no ladder to exit through the six-foot-high door.
There is no hammer either, and the condition of the wiring is alarming. Another bus running between Delhi and Jodhpur was found to be better equipped, with fire protection systems at the front and rear for passengers, a first-aid kit, a hammer for travellers, and clear emergency doors.
The roof of the bus also had no luggage carriers. India Today/Aaj Tak conducted a reality check of four buses parked at Mori Gate and found numerous flaws.

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Reality Check: How sleeper buses are flouting safety norms across India

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Reality Check: How sleeper buses are flouting safety norms across India

Key Highlights

Sources

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