Bus Safety Standards in Andhra Pradesh

Summary of Road Safety Concerns in India

Recent Incidents:

• Kurnool District Accident (October 24, 2025):

  • Involved a luxury bus from Hyderabad to Bengaluru with 46 passengers.
  • Resulted in 20 fatalities, including the motorcycle rider.
  • Accident triggered by a fuel leak after collision with a bike.

• Previous Incident:

  • A fire incident on a bus from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur led to 20 deaths, highlighting ongoing safety issues in public transport.

Safety Standards and Regulations:

• Automotive Industry Standards (AIS):

  • Developed by the Ministry of Road Transport, laying down structural and fire safety requirements, but not rigorously followed in body installations.

• Current Safety Regulations:

  • Mandates include:
    • Four exits on sleeper buses (two main doors, two collapsible windows).
    • Exits must be unblocked.
  • Existing fleet exceptions mean many buses still do not comply with these regulations.

Issues Identified:

• Substandard Body Installation:

  • Use of poor-quality, highly flammable composite materials in body-making.
  • Lack of crash testing and unsafe modifications, such as adding extra fuel tanks.

• Passenger Safety:

  • Sleeper arrangements hinder swift evacuation.
  • Use of flammable materials for curtains and barricades increases fire risk.

• Driver Training:

  • Insufficient training for drivers to manage emergencies.
  • Recommendations include educating passengers on emergency exits, similar to safety protocols in flights.

• Fire Safety Systems:

  • Current regulations require fire detection and activation of firefighting measures; however, compliance is poor across the board.

Recommendations for Improvement:

• Comprehensive Revision of AIS:

  • Development of stricter standards specifically addressing the risks associated with sleeper buses.

• Regular Monitoring and Compliance:

  • Enhanced enforcement of existing safety standards and regulations.

• Crash Testing:

  • Mandatory crash testing of entire bus assemblies to ensure safety during accidents.

Conclusion:

Recent road accidents in India underscore significant gaps in bus safety standards, body construction, and emergency management. Enhancing regulations, increasing compliance, and improving driver training are critical to preventing future tragedies.