AIS 153 Raising the Bar for India’s Bus Manufacturing Ecosystem Says INALCO’s Mohit Garg

From September 2025, AIS 153 is no longer be just a regulatory document — it will become the defining framework for how buses in India are engineered, built, and certified. At INALCO Private Limited, we see this not merely as a compliance requirement but as a structural transformation of the entire bus manufacturing ecosystem.

AIS 153 represents a decisive move toward measurable safety, standardised engineering practices, and technology-led mobility. The emphasis on Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH) limits introduces scientific benchmarks into passenger comfort – defining clear parameters for interior noise levels, vibration thresholds, and structural frequency performance.

This shift encourages stronger body structures, better material integrity, and refined fabrication processes.

Equally significant is the integration of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), including GPS tracking, CCTV surveillance with 30-day recording, passenger information systems, and driver monitoring. These mandates signal that buses are no longer just transport vehicles – they are becoming connected mobility platforms aligned with global standards.

Fire safety provisions under AIS-135, along with stricter emergency exit norms and the prohibition of driver partition doors, reflect a deeper focus on occupant protection and evacuation efficiency. The structured requirements for escape hatches, emergency door placement, and roof equipment positioning demand careful design planning and disciplined execution.

List of the Top Indian Bus Body Builders With AIS-153 Certification

For Indian bus body builders, AIS 153 requires a more integrated engineering approach. Documentation, type approval testing through agencies such as ARAI, ICAT, and CIRT, and compliance validation will now be central to the manufacturing process. This formalisation will elevate industry credibility while creating a level playing field built on quality and accountability.

As a manufacturer of aluminium flat rolled products serving mobility applications, INALCO Private Limited understands that evolving regulatory frameworks such as AIS 153 require greater coordination across the entire value chain. 

Material suppliers, body builders, OEMs, and testing agencies must work in alignment to ensure that structural design, fabrication practices, and system integration collectively meet the prescribed standards. We believe this collaborative approach will define the next phase of disciplined and accountable bus manufacturing in India.

Regulations of this scale inevitably bring operational challenges and cost considerations. However, they also create an opportunity for modernisation, consolidation, and global competitiveness. The industry now has a clear direction – toward safer, smarter, and more passenger-centric buses.

AIS 153 is not just a mandate; it is a milestone. The future of India’s bus industry will be defined by those who embrace it with preparedness, technical clarity, and long-term vision.