Telangana Seizes Three Sleeper Buses Over Dangerous Unsafe Glass Chambers
The Telangana transport department has seized three private sleeper buses due to hazardous glass chamber modifications. These structural changes, which violate safety norms and obstruct emergency evacuations, were targeted following directives from the NHRC to improve passenger safety across the nation.
Highlights
- •Telangana transport authorities seized three sleeper buses over unauthorized glass chamber modifications.
- •The enforcement drive follows National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) directives regarding passenger safety.
- •CIRT research indicates glass chambers obstruct emergency evacuations and increase smoke accumulation.
- •Authorities have warned that non-compliant buses will be seized under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The Telangana transport department has launched a targeted enforcement drive, seizing three private sleeper buses over a span of two days. The action was prompted by severe concerns regarding unauthorized modifications that compromise passenger safety. Specifically, authorities identified the presence of enclosed “glass chambers” within these sleeper coaches, which officials argue pose a significant hazard to travelers.
Safety Concerns and Regulatory Compliance
All three of the seized vehicles were registered in Arunachal Pradesh, prompting the department to issue formal notices to the relevant state transport authorities. These notices demand an immediate verification of the buses' fitness certifications and operating permits. This crackdown on unsafe sleeper buses follows direct mandates from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which has intensified its scrutiny following a series of tragic, fatal bus accidents and infernos across the country. In one notable incident in Kurnool district last October, a bus fire tragically resulted in 20 fatalities.
Special inspection teams conducted operations across the state last Friday and Saturday, specifically targeting sleeper buses found to have structural modifications. According to transport officials, the NHRC has expressed grave concerns that these enclosed cabins and various secondary modifications severely obstruct passenger evacuation and hinder rescue efforts during emergencies. Research conducted by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), based in Pune, has further corroborated these findings. The studies indicated that glass chambers in sleeper buses lead to rapid smoke accumulation, obstruct emergency exits, and drastically delay crucial rescue operations. Such modifications are also found to be in direct violation of established bus body code regulations.
Strict Enforcement and Future Inspections
Officials have reiterated that all passenger vehicles must strictly adhere to mandated safety requirements. These include maintaining functional emergency exits, sufficient gangways, roof-mounted escape hatches, and emergency-rated windows. Designs must ensure that passengers can exit the vehicle rapidly in the event of an accident. Authorities have emphasized that any unauthorized structural alterations are strictly prohibited under the Motor Vehicles Act and the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.
The transport department has warned private operators that the current wave of inspections will continue across all districts. Vehicles found to be non-compliant—particularly those fitted with glass chambers—will face immediate seizure. Furthermore, operators will be held strictly accountable for ensuring alternative transport arrangements for passengers in the event of a seizure. Public advisory has been issued urging commuters to avoid traveling in sleeper buses featuring these hazardous enclosed glass chambers and to report such vehicles to their local transport department offices for immediate investigation.
