Govt. Issues New Sleeper Bus Rules: Hammers, Toughened Glass Must

The Indian government has introduced new sleeper bus rules. From now on, sleeper buses in India will be required to have toughened glass & hammers as well as Retro-Reflective Tapes marking the exits. These measures aim to enhance passenger safety during critical situations such as fires or accidents.

The Ministry of Road Transport in India has introduced a set of mandatory sleeper bus rules aimed at bolstering passenger safety during overnight journeys.

These rules have been implemented in response to a tragic bus fire incident on the Nagpur-Mumbai Samruddhi Mahamarg in Maharashtra, which resulted in the loss of 25 lives.

Why the Government Has Implemented These Rules

The decision to enforce these rules stems from a critical need to address vulnerabilities that passengers face during emergencies like fires or accidents.

The recent bus fire incident in Samruddhi Mahamarg highlighted the inadequacies in the existing safety standards of sleeper buses.

Passengers often found themselves in life-threatening situations, primarily due to a lack of means for swift escape. Suffocation and reliance on external help were major concerns.

These are the reasons that forced the government to come up with this new set of sleeper bus rules.

The New Sleeper Bus Rules of 2023 Explained in Details

• Toughened Glass and Hammers: As per the modified sleeper bus rules of 2023, all newly manufactured sleeper coach buses must be equipped with toughened glass on all windows. Additionally, every seat must have a hammer attached. These hammers serve as crucial tools for passengers to break open windows and escape during emergencies, such as fires. This change empowers passengers to take action swiftly, improving their chances of a safe evacuation.
• Retro-Reflective Tapes: The government has mandated the use of retro-reflective tapes that clearly mark emergency exits. These tapes play a vital role in guiding passengers to the exit gates in emergency situations, especially when visibility is reduced due to darkness. This visual aid minimizes confusion and enhances passenger safety.
• Third-Party Approval for Body Builders: The government is also considering the requirement for sleeper bus body builders to obtain third-party approval for their products.

This measure is intended to maintain stringent quality control and adherence to safety standards.

When Will These New Rules Be Implemented?

As per government officials, these new sleeper bus rules for enhanced passenger safety are set to be enforced within the next three months.

This timeline demonstrates the government’s commitment to promptly addressing safety concerns.

Why Toughened Glass Should be Used on Sleeper Buses instead of Laminated Glass?

AC sleeper buses in India generally have Laminated Glass, since it is a safer and stronger alternative to standard glass.

A laminated glass consists of two or more layers of glass bonded together by a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or a similar type of interlayer material.

The layers of glass and interlayer are then subjected to heat and pressure to create a strong and cohesive structure.

When it breaks, the glass may crack or break, but the broken pieces tend to adhere to the interlayer, preventing the glass from shattering into sharp, dangerous shards. This feature reduces the risk of injury in the event of an impact.

But in times of an emergency, this may have an adverse impact.

Since laminated glass holds together upon impact, it might impede passengers’ ability to exit quickly during an emergency.

Toughened Glass, on the other hand, is designed to be stronger and more resistant to breakage compared to regular annealed glass.

Yet it can be shattered easily by a hammer. Toughened glass is designed to shatter into small, relatively harmless pieces when broken.

In the event of an emergency, such as a fire or an accident, passengers can use emergency escape hammers or tools to break the toughened glass windows quickly.

This allows for a faster and safer evacuation of passengers from the bus. Broken tempered glass doesn’t create sharp, jagged shards that could injure passengers during evacuation.

This is the sole reason why the Government has included it in the new sleeper bus rules of 2023.

In the event of an emergency, such as a fire or an accident, passengers can use emergency escape hammers or tools to break the toughened glass windows quickly. This allows for a faster and safer evacuation of passengers from the bus.

Moreover, toughened glass offers clear and unobstructed visibility, which is important for passengers to assess the situation outside the bus during an emergency.

It allows passengers to see obstacles, smoke, or potential hazards that might be present, aiding in their decision-making during evacuation.

So from a safety point of view, we think that the sleeper bus rules introduced by the government are rational and commendable.

Once these new bus rules are implemented on sleeper buses, they will definitely be beneficial for ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers in sleeper buses.