Kolkata: Strict adherence to vehicle maintenance protocol, timely fitness certification and focused scrutiny of buses fitted with electronic control units that are vulnerable to fire hazards are some of the norms that feature in the nine-point fire and operational guidelines issued by the state transport department for buses. All state transport undertakings (STUs) will have to set up passenger safety and security cells to track safety-related incidents, assess risks and recommend corrective actions for vehicles. The district road safety committees will exercise similar vigil on private buses.
The guidelines, issued under transport secretary Saumitra Mohan following a spate of fire accidents on public transport, put particular emphasis on new BS-IV- and BS-VI-complying buses as they have a complex electronic control system and require stricter inspection and monitoring due to heightened short-circuit risks.
The fires exposed concerns about bus maintenance and operational preparedness. The matter was discussed with STUs, private bus operators, enforcement agencies and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), following which the safety framework was formed, focused on preparedness, risk mitigation and systematic safety improvements. The guidelines call for an SOP for fires, accidents and other emergencies, to be prepared in coordination with tech experts, OEMs and emergency services.
Capacity building of drivers, conductors, and technical staff forms another key norm. Operators are told to engage qualified technical personnel and ensure crew members are trained in fire prevention and response. STUs are advised to replace ageing fleets and ensure new buses are equipped with fire control systems.