Following the alleged gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl on a moving bus between Greater Noida and Delhi, the Delhi government’s transport department has announced a reinforcement of safety regulations for public buses. On Tuesday, officials reiterated the necessity of equipping buses with functional location-tracking devices and panic buttons. Additionally, they mandated a ban on curtains and window films, as well as ensuring adequate internal lighting to enhance passenger safety.
“Violations reported during enforcement include unauthorised stoppages, use of black film and operation of sleeper services in violation of permit conditions. Passenger boarding and alighting must take place only at designated bus stops or other authorised locations. However, unauthorised operations, including those by operators from outside the registered network, remain a concern. Passenger records are another requirement governing contract-carriage and tourist buses. Under the applicable framework, tourist vehicle operators are required to maintain passenger details, including names, addresses, ages and boarding and destination points, with a copy of the list carried in the vehicle for inspection.
It also directed operators to ensure that sufficient internal lighting remains switched on while buses are moving so that activities inside are visible from outside. Delhi has around 450 registered private bus operators, according to officials aware of the details.
The two-page order said buses must not be fitted with curtains or windows covered with films. “The bus shall not be fitted with curtains or glasses having films,” the order said. “Stopping at unsafe or unauthorised locations, particularly in the middle of the road or at intersections, is strictly prohibited,” the order, a copy of which HT has accessed, said. We are going to take strict action against any such violations, including suspending or cancelling permits, if required,” transport minister Pankaj Kumar Singh said. Officials, however, said compliance with the requirement remains poor. Officials said enforcement drives would be intensified to ensure compliance with the prescribed safety and operational requirements.
