Telangana Seizes 3 Sleeper Buses Over Unsafe Glass Chambers

Hyderabad:The transport department has seized three private sleeper buses over two days for violating safety norms, amid continued concerns over accidents linked to unauthorised modifications. Officials said the buses were operating with enclosed “glass chambers”, which compromise passenger safety. All three vehicles were registered in Arunachal Pradesh, and notices have been issued to the state’s transport authorities regarding the fitness certification and permits.

The crackdown follows directives from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) after a series of fatal bus accidents and fires across the country. In one such incident, a bus fire in Kurnool district last October claimed 20 lives.

Transport department officials said special inspections were conducted across the state on Friday and Saturday, targeting sleeper buses with structural modifications. “Taking the NHRC directives on passenger safety seriously, these checks were carried out,” they said.

An official said the NHRC had raised concerns over enclosed cabins and other modifications that hinder passenger evacuation and rescue during emergencies. They cited studies by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), Pune, which found that glass chambers in sleeper coaches obstruct evacuation, increase smoke accumulation and delay rescue operations. Such modifications also violate bus body code regulations.

Authorities said buses must comply with safety requirements, including functional emergency exits, adequate gangways, roof escape hatches and emergency windows, and layouts that allow quick evacuation. Unauthorised structural changes are prohibited.

Notices have been issued to registration, fitness certification and permit authorities in AP to verify compliance with approved designs, AIS standards and the Motor Vehicles Act, and to take action where necessary. Officials said inspections would continue across all districts and warned that buses with glass chambers or other unauthorised modifications would be seized under the Motor Vehicles Act and Central Motor Vehicles Rules.

They also cautioned private operators that vehicles found violating norms would be seized immediately and operators would be responsible for alternative arrangements for passengers. Passengers were advised not to travel in sleeper buses with glass chambers and to report such vehicles to the nearest transport department office.