Two devastating bus fires in less than a month in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan have claimed more than 45 lives and injured dozens. The accidents have once again brought the alarming safety gaps in the country’s long-distance private bus network into the spotlight.
Both the recent bus accidents involved air-conditioned sleeper coaches packed with passengers. The twin tragedies, separated by just a few weeks, have reignited outrage and demands for stricter enforcement of safety standards and tighter checks on illegally modified sleeper buses.
While speaking with News18, Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari said on Thursday that the newly amended bus code introduced by his ministry could help prevent bus fire incidents across India while ensuring safer travel for passengers. Gadkari added that the updated code not only strengthens fire safety standards but also makes unauthorised sleeper bus conversions a jailable offence.
The minister further said that with standardised manufacturing, all buses will come equipped with improved fire safety mechanisms. “The amended bus code has various provisions. The buses manufactured as per the code will not catch fire. And all buses in India will have to comply with the bus code,” Gadkari added.
Kurnool bus illegally converted, says Gadkari
Referring to the Kurnool bus fire that killed at least 20 passengers earlier this month, the minister told News18 that the vehicle involved had been illegally converted from a seater to a sleeper coach and was operating under a fake logo.
When asked about the continued use of illegally modified buses, the minister issued a stern warning and said that anyone found using buses made or modified against the code “will directly be sent to jail”. He added that the new bus code has strict provisions for defaulters.
The amended bus code, aimed at improving passenger safety and eliminating unsafe modifications, came into force nationwide from September 1, 2025.
