Hyderabad, April 9 -- The Andhra Pradesh government is contemplating a ban on private sleeper buses, officials said on Wednesday, adding that the move was spurred by a recent spate of serious accidents involving such vehicles.

The cabinet sub-committee formed to review measures to prevent bus accidents took the matter up for discussion on Tuesday. State transport minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy and home minister Vangalapudi Anitha were present.

Most private sleeper buses currently in service were converted vehicles rather than factory-built models, officials present informed the sub-committee, and flagged the lax compliance with structural and safety standards, including lack of adequate emergency exits, poor ventilation, and height...