Recurring bus infernos in Andhra Pradesh highlight regulatory gaps, trigger safety review

Thursday’s (March 26, 2026) bus fire incident delivered yet another shock to Andhra Pradesh, which has been struggling to come to terms with a number of bus infernos reported in recent months since the October 24, 2025 Kurnool bus fire incident that claimed 20 lives and left many others injured. 

Accidents of this intensity involving human lives have been occurring in quick succession calling for swift action to prevent such tragedies. Transport authorities say enforcing provisions of the Motor Vehicle Act on vehicles registered in other states remains a major challenge. 

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The private non-sleeper bus involved in Thursday’s accident was registered at Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh on March 31, 2017. The vehicle regulation system is said to be more strong in southern states which also explains why a number of private bus owners get their vehicles registered elsewhere. 

“Legal framework requires to be strengthened to empower the Motor Vehicle Inspectors to better administer the All India Tourist Permit buses which are registered in other states and plying here,” says Andhra Pradesh Transport Commissioner Manish Kumar Sinha. Pointing to the limitations faced in enforcement, Mr. Sinha noted that owners of nearly 200 private vehicles seized during raids conducted across the State after the Kurnool bus incident had challenged the action in courts.

Shaken by the severity of the Kurnool accident, the government had directed the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Hyderabad, to conduct an independent technical investigation into the fatal road accident focusing on identifying systemic lapses in safety regulations, vehicle maintenance practices and emergency response protocols. The multi-disciplinary panel was also asked to recommend improvements in bus design and operational practices, including enhanced in-vehicle safety features.

The committee has completed its probe but has not yet submitted its report. Reliable sources said the report recommends a series of measures related to road engineering, vehicle design, passenger safety and driver management to prevent recurrence of bus fire accidents and improve overall road safety.

Under road engineering, it has recommended installation of transverse bar markings, strengthening of median and barrier delineation through retro-reflective strikers on metal beam crash barriers to enhance night-time visibility. 

Use of fire-resistant materials for interior panels, flooring, and upholstery to prevent ignition and slow flame spread, installation of heat-resistant barriers between engine compartments, batteries and passenger areas and automatic fire suppression systems in engine compartments in line with Indian standards are also needed, it said. 

Only certified vehicle manufacturers should be engaged for sleeper bus body fabrication and fire department certification should be mandatory before grant of registration or fitness certificate, it says, stressing on the importance of early fire detection and suppression mechanisms, installation of smoke and heat detectors, particularly in sleeper buses where passengers may be asleep and slow to respond. 

Audible and visual alarms to alert passengers and crew immediately, a minimum of four fire extinguishers in each vehicle, four emergency exits, including roof hatches, side windows and rear doors, with additional exits for longer coaches and exit routes clearly marked with luminescent signage and supported by emergency lighting systems with battery backup are other mandatory changes proposed.

The report says drivers and attendants should be trained in emergency response, use of fire extinguishers and crowd control and pre-trip safety briefings informing passengers about emergency exits should be conducted, similar to aviation practices.

To ensure responsible driving and monitoring, it has advised mandatory installation of Vehicle Location Tracking (VLT) devices in all buses, with features such as live location tracking, trip history, speed monitoring, route recording and driver login facilities to monitor working hours and prevent fatigue.