Kamal Ghorui
Panaji: The transport department has issued a public notice mandating compliance with AIS-119 safety standards for buses operating in Goa by March 31. The directive follows instructions from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to adhere to critical safety recommendations made by the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT).AIS-119 guidelines establish mandatory safety and construction standards for sleeper coaches (type IV buses) in India, focusing on fire resistance, emergency exits, structural integrity and berth layout.The transport department outlined four non-negotiable safety measures to be implemented across applicable vehicles: removal of driver partition doors; mandatory emergency exits in all buses up to 12m in length; installation and full functional readiness of fire detection and suppression systems in all sleeper coaches; and structural compliance in sleeper coaches, wherein sleeper berths must neither have sliders nor any unauthorised chassis extensions permitted.According to the notice all non-compliant vehicles must be withdrawn from service immediately.“Failure to comply with this directive will invite strict action, including penalties as prescribed under applicable law,” the notice said.Transport authorities stressed that the directive comes into force with immediate effect and that all operators, including private bus owners and the Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd, must ensure full compliance.
