Jaipur Transport Department Cracks Down on Unsafe Sleeper Buses After Expose

The Jaipur Transport Department launched a city-wide crackdown on unsafe sleeper buses after serious safety violations were exposed, prompting swift enforcement action against non-compliant operators. Beginning early in the day, vigilance teams conducted extensive inspections across Jaipur, issuing challans to dozens of buses and seizing several vehicles found to be endangering passenger safety.

The enforcement drive followed revelations that multiple sleeper buses were operating in blatant violation of safety norms. Investigations revealed that many buses had converted emergency features into mere showpieces. In several cases, emergency exits were blocked or rendered unusable, while essential safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and emergency hammers were missing altogether. Authorities described these violations as life-threatening, particularly in the event of fire or accidents.

During inspections, officials intercepted a sleeper bus travelling from Ahmedabad to Jaipur, where they discovered that an emergency gate had been completely obstructed by luggage. The aisle inside the bus was also heavily congested with goods, restricting movement. Shockingly, the second emergency exit was blocked by a fixed seat. The bus, operated by Parsvanath Travels, was immediately seized after passengers were safely deboarded and taken to the transport department yard for further legal action.

In another instance, a sleeper bus travelling from Bhuj to Jaipur was found to have both emergency exits blocked by installed seats. The vigilance team issued penalties and initiated proceedings against the operator. Similar violations were found in buses seized from Sindhi Camp, where emergency gates appeared visible from the outside but were fully blocked internally by sleeper berths.

Officials also identified several buses with illegal luggage carriers mounted on their roofs, posing additional safety risks. These structures were dismantled on the spot and removed as part of the enforcement action. Transport authorities stated that such modifications not only violate regulations but also compromise vehicle stability and evacuation routes.

Responding to the issue, Prem Chand Bairwa, the Transport Minister of Rajasthan, said that modified sleeper buses violating safety norms would not be allowed to operate. He confirmed that strict action had already been taken to stop such vehicles and that further checks would continue.

The crackdown comes in the wake of deadly sleeper bus fire incidents in Rajasthan that claimed at least 30 lives in Jaisalmer and Jaipur. Following these tragedies, safety standards were tightened, and compliance drives led to the installation of emergency gates and fire extinguishers in many sleeper buses. However, authorities noted that some buses, particularly those arriving from Uttar Pradesh, still continue to flout safety norms.

Officials have warned that inspections will intensify in the coming days, with zero tolerance for violations. The transport department reiterated that passenger safety remains the top priority and that unsafe sleeper buses will be taken off the roads without exception.