Noida, Oct. 2 -- Traffic police and transport department teams seized 45 buses and issued challans to more than 70 others during a four-day crackdown on passenger vehicles for safety and regulatory violations. The challans amounted to over Rs 5 lakh.

The action comes days after nine passengers were charred to death when a bus caught fire on the Yamuna Expressway, raising questions over safety arrangements in passenger vehicles and the availability and functioning of emergency exits and fire-fighting equipment.

Traffic police checked over 1,000 buses between September 27 and 30 as part of the intensified enforcement drive. Officials examined emergency exits, CCTV cameras, fire extinguishers and other fire-safety equipment, besides checking curtains, black film and other violations. Drunk-driving checks were also conducted during the drive. Drivers and conductors were briefed about passenger safety, the use of emergency equipment and precautions to be taken in case of a fire or other emergency.

Separately, the transport department launched Operation Kavach 2.0 on September 27 to crack down on unauthorised and rule-violating buses operating on various routes. Five teams were deployed for surprise inspections. The teams seized 11 buses on the first day, 19 buses on second day, another 15 buses on third, taking the total number of seized buses to 45 under the operation. Along with seizures by traffic police, challans were also issued.

Unlike routine challans, the seized buses will also undergo technical examination before they are allowed to resume operations. Officials said the vehicles would be released only after they are found compliant with the prescribed AIS-119 safety norms. If a bus is found to have serious safety deficiencies or other violations, action could include suspension of its registration and fitness certificate.

The intensified scrutiny has also brought the issue of unauthorised modifications in sleeper buses into focus. During recent checks, officials found that some buses undergo structural and passenger-compartment modifications after obtaining fitness certificates and regulatory clearances.

Bus workers said some sleeper buses originally designed with a 2x1 layout, accommodating around 36 berths, are subsequently modified into 2x2 layouts to carry as many as 48 passengers. Such modifications can reduce aisle space and berth dimensions, potentially making movement inside the bus difficult, particularly during an emergency evacuation.

Officials said alterations to the passenger compartment, electrical systems, air-conditioning units or other major components can affect the vehicle's original safety configuration and therefore cannot be treated as cosmetic changes.

"Any alteration that changes the passenger compartment, electrical load or other safety-related components has to be properly engineered, inspected and certified," said a senior official involved in the enforcement drive.

The crackdown follows the deadly bus fire on the Yamuna Expressway in which nine passengers were trapped inside the vehicle and were charred to death. The incident has prompted authorities to step up inspections of passenger buses, particularly those operating on highways and intercity routes.

A senior traffic police officer said the enforcement would not be limited to the current three-day drive. "The drive will continue against buses operating illegally or in violation of safety norms. Vehicles found compromising passenger safety will be taken off the road and strict action will be initiated against their operators," the officer said.

Officials said the focus would remain on identifying buses that do not meet mandatory safety requirements and ensuring that vehicles with serious deficiencies do not return to the roads without completing the prescribed technical and

regulatory checks.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.