NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of allegations that unsafe and potentially non-compliant AC sleeper buses are being used under the Punjab government’s Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana, which facilitates pilgrimage for senior citizens and economically disadvantaged people.
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said the commission had received a complaint alleging that the buses did not meet the required safety standards, with concerns over unauthorised structural modifications, partitions between the driver’s cabin and passenger compartment, obstruction of emergency exits and windows, and deficiencies in essential fire detection, suppression and emergency evacuation arrangements.
“The buses being used don’t meet the required safety standards. The complainant told us that there are partitions between the driver’s cabin and the passenger area. Basically, they’ve set up partitions right in the middle of the passenger section. We were also told that the buses have been extended past the chassis, which is creating dangerous conditions,” Kanoongo said.
#WATCH | Delhi | Member of the National Human Rights Commission, Priyank Kanoongo, said, “We have received this complaint that the pilgrimage scheme being run in the name of the Chief Minister in Punjab, in which elderly passengers are taken on trips; the buses being used in it are violating the prescribed safety standards. The complainant has informed us that there are partitions between the bus driver’s cabin and the passengers’ coach in these buses… It has also been reported that the body of the buses has been extended beyond the chassis, which is creating dangerous conditions. I would like to clarify here that since last year, we have taken cognizance of several cases where incidents of fire have occurred in moving sleeper coach buses, and many passengers have lost their lives at various places across the country. We have given clear instructions to the state governments across the country in this matter that under no circumstances should such buses be used. According to the information available with us, after our instructions, improvements have been made in about 1000 buses or they have been removed. The serious thing in this matter is that the state government itself has allegedly put such buses into service that are violating the prescribed safety standards. Especially in that situation when it is transporting elderly passengers. If any mishap occurs, it is often not possible for them to get out of these dangerous situations on their own. In that situation, the government’s responsibility becomes double, and it is a highly irresponsible way to transport passengers in buses without meeting the prescribed standards. We have issued a notice to the Chief Secretary of Punjab and asked them to personally monitor this matter, get all buses inspected, and submit a report to us within 7 days…”
— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2026
Kanoongo said the commission had previously taken action in cases involving fires in moving sleeper buses and coaches that resulted in passenger deaths, and had issued instructions to state governments against using such buses.
“The serious thing here, though, is that the state government itself has allegedly hired buses that don’t meet safety standards. This is especially risky when they’re transporting elderly passengers. If there’s an emergency or something goes wrong, these passengers often aren’t even able to get themselves out”, he said.
He added that the complaint had raised concerns about partitions installed in the passenger area and other modifications that could create dangerous conditions. “If passengers are to get through these dangerous conditions safely, the government’s responsibility doubles. It’s highly irresponsible to transport people in buses without meeting the required standards”, Kanoongo said.
The NHRC has issued a notice to the Punjab Chief Secretary. “Highly irresponsible to transport people in buses without meeting the required standards. We’ve issued a notice to the Punjab Chief Secretary, asking them to personally monitor the situation, inspect all the buses, and submit a report to us within 7 days,” he added.
The complaint also raised concerns over the obstruction of emergency exits and windows, as well as alleged deficiencies in fire detection, fire suppression and emergency evacuation arrangements.
According to a press release, the NHRC Bench presided over by Priyank Kanoongo has issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Government of Punjab, and the Secretary, Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. (ANI)
