Sleeper coach buses with driver partition door under scanner

Bhubaneswar: Sleeper coach buses illegally fitted with driver-partition doors have come under govt scrutiny, with regional transport offices (RTOs) launching a week-long statewide crackdown from Wednesday.According to transport department officials, partition doors separating the driver’s space from the passenger section are prohibited under the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) and Automotive Industry Standards (AIS). Authorities warn that such barriers could obstruct evacuation through the front exit during fire emergencies. “All RTOs have been directed to conduct a seven-day enforcement drive against unauthorised driver-partition doors,” stated an order issued by the state transport authority (STA) on Tuesday.RTOs will inspect sleeper bus body designs and issue challans against violators. Bus operators and body builders or manufacturers have been instructed to strictly adhere to prescribed safety norms, following some fatal fire incidents in the country. According to the transport department, the crackdown is imperative to avoid Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh like tragedies. On Oct 14, 2025, 20 passengers died in a bus fire on the Jaisalmer–Jodhpur highway in Rajasthan. Days later, 19 passengers were killed in a sleeper bus blaze at Kurnool in Andhra Pradesh, on Oct 24, 2025.The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in Nov last year directed all states to enforce mandatory safety measures, including removal of partition doors, installation of fire detection and suppression systems (FDSS), and stricter certification of bus body builders. Calling violations of CMVR and AIS standards “criminal negligence,” the NHRC urged state govt to fix accountability on both bus operators and transport officials who approve fitness certifications for non-compliant vehicles.The Odisha fire and emergency service recently prepared a standard operating procedure (SOP) to strengthen fire safety protocols in buses. The SOP requires bus owners to conduct safety audits and ensure adequate fire equipment, with fire service personnel guiding operators on compliance.Road safety expert Subrat Nanda highlighted another concern. “Many sleeper coaches are illegally using manual sliders for berths instead of curtains, creating additional risks during emergencies,” Nanda said. The transport department has reiterated that all sleeper buses must be equipped with fire extinguishers, and bus bodies built in violation of AIS norms such as through illegal chassis or body extensions are strictly prohibited.