📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ecow
Automobile
Sleeper buses in India continue to catch fire despite bans abroad
✍️ Bhaskar English
🗓 25 Sep 2026, 11:39 AM
👁 18
Several fatal fires on Indian sleeper buses have raised safety concerns, even as such vehicles are banned in many Western nations.
Recent incidents of sleeper buses bursting into flames have highlighted a growing safety crisis on Indian roads. While these vehicles are permitted for long-distance travel, multiple fire accidents have resulted in loss of life and prompted public outcry.
In contrast, several Western countries have prohibited sleeper buses after similar tragedies, citing the difficulty of evacuating passengers and the heightened fire risk associated with the cramped, enclosed design.
Transport safety experts and consumer groups in India are now urging the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to impose stricter regulations or an outright ban, arguing that the continued operation of sleeper buses poses an unacceptable danger to travelers.
The government has so far not announced any ban, and officials say they are reviewing safety standards and enforcement mechanisms to prevent further incidents.
In contrast, several Western countries have prohibited sleeper buses after similar tragedies, citing the difficulty of evacuating passengers and the heightened fire risk associated with the cramped, enclosed design.
Transport safety experts and consumer groups in India are now urging the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to impose stricter regulations or an outright ban, arguing that the continued operation of sleeper buses poses an unacceptable danger to travelers.
The government has so far not announced any ban, and officials say they are reviewing safety standards and enforcement mechanisms to prevent further incidents.