Goa Makes AIS-119 Safety Compliance Mandatory for Sleeper Buses by March 31

In a significant move aimed at strengthening passenger safety in intercity and sleeper coach operations, the Goa Transport Department has mandated full compliance with AIS-119 bus safety standards for all applicable buses operating in the state by March 31, 2026.

The directive, issued through a public notice in Panaji, follows recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which instructed authorities to implement critical safety measures formulated by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT).

The order applies primarily to Type IV sleeper coaches, a segment that has increasingly come under regulatory scrutiny due to fire safety and structural risks observed in long-distance bus operations across India.

Mandatory Safety Requirements

AIS-119 specifies construction and safety standards for Type IV sleeper coaches, covering fire protection, emergency evacuation, and structural safety.

Under the order, operators must ensure:

• Removal of driver partition doors
• Emergency exits in buses up to 12 metres in length
• Functional fire detection and fire suppression systems in sleeper coaches
• Structural compliance of sleeper berths
• No berth sliders or unauthorised chassis extensions

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Non-Compliant Buses to Be Withdrawn

Transport authorities stated that non-compliant vehicles must be withdrawn from service immediately.

Failure to meet the requirements will invite penalties under applicable transport regulations.

The directive applies to all operators in Goa, including private bus owners and the state-run Kadamba Transport Corporation.

Enforcement Effective Immediately

Officials confirmed that the order has come into force with immediate effect, with inspections expected ahead of the March deadline to ensure compliance across sleeper coach fleets operating within the state.