Driver Partitions and Sliding Shutters Banned: Govt Enforces new Sleeper Bus Rules

For a detailed breakdown of the new sleeper bus rules, including compliance requirements and penalties, bus operators can refer to our complete explainer.

A new set of safety rules will now be applied to sleeper coach buses across India, with state transport departments beginning enforcement action against non-compliant vehicles.

Transport authorities in multiple states have begun issuing formal directives to bus operators to upgrade their sleeper buses in accordance with the new sleeper bus norms.

The enforcement drive follows directions issued by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to all Chief Secretaries of states, calling for immediate removal of sleeper buses that violate prescribed safety standards.

The NHRC intervention comes after a spate of sleeper bus fire accidents in recent months, which together claimed nearly 165 lives, raising serious concerns around passenger safety and emergency preparedness in sleeper coaches.

The Commission observed that poor bus body design, delayed fire detection, unsafe berth layouts, and inadequate emergency exits were common factors in several fatal accidents, including a major sleeper bus fire reported in October 2025.

Taking cognisance of repeated fatal incidents, NHRC Member Priyank Kanoongo issued directions to all state governments, stating that sleeper buses operating in violation of safety norms pose a direct threat to the right to life of passengers.

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New Sleeper Bus Norms: Mandatory Safety Compliance

State transport departments have been instructed to ensure that all sleeper buses strictly comply with the following mandatory requirements

• All sleeper buses must comply with AIS 052 and AIS 119 bus body codes
• Driver cabin partitions or doors must be removed
• Removal of sliding doors in sleeper berths
• FDSS installation is mandatory in all sleeper buses
• Minimum 10 kg fire extinguishers (Green Zone) must be installed
• Sleeper buses constructed using chassis extensions are prohibited

Bus operators have been given a period of 30 days to upgrade their buses to the new sleeper bus rules; failing which, enforcement action will be initiated.

Requirements for New Sleeper Bus Registrations

Under the new sleeper bus rules, transport authorities have clarified that the following conditions will apply strictly at the time of registration of new sleeper buses:

• Sleeper bus bodies will be considered valid only if constructed by approved body builders
• Registration approval must be supported by Form 22A / Form 22B

Transport authorities have been directed to verify body builder accreditation during the registration process as well as during enforcement inspections.

Layout Drawings and Emergency Safety Provisions

Every new sleeper bus presented for registration must have:

• Approved layout drawings
• Emergency exits
• Emergency hatches
• Compliance with prescribed safety dimensions

Any deficiency in layout approval or emergency exit provisions will result in the denial of registration and enforcement action.

Enforcement Action and Accountability

The NHRC has directed state transport departments to take strict legal and administrative action against violations, including:

• Immediate stoppage of non-compliant sleeper buses
• Cancellation of permits and registrations
• Action against:
  • Bus operators
  • Bus body builders
  • Transport officials responsible for negligence

States have also been asked to submit compliance and action-taken reports to the NHRC.