Goa Makes AIS-119 Safety Compliance Mandatory for Sleeper Buses

In a major step to enhance passenger safety, the Goa Transport Department has mandated full compliance with AIS-119 bus safety standards for all Type IV sleeper buses operating in the state by March 31, 2026.

The directive, issued via a public notice in Panaji, follows recommendations from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and the Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) to enforce critical safety measures across long-distance sleeper coaches.

Mandatory Safety Standards for Type IV Sleeper Buses

AIS-119 specifies construction and operational safety norms for Type IV sleeper coaches, emphasizing fire protection, emergency evacuation, and structural integrity. Under the new mandate, bus operators must ensure:

• Removal of driver partition doors
• Installation of emergency exits for buses up to 12 metres
• Functional fire detection and fire suppression systems
• Structural compliance of sleeper berths
• Elimination of berth sliders and unauthorised chassis extensions

These requirements aim to address fire safety and structural risks that have increasingly come under scrutiny in intercity long-distance bus operations.

Enforcement and Penalties

Transport authorities have confirmed that the directive is effective immediately. Non-compliant buses must be withdrawn from service before the March 31 deadline. Operators failing to meet the standards will face penalties under applicable transport regulations.

The order applies to all bus operators in Goa, including private fleet owners and the state-run Kadamba Transport Corporation, ensuring that passengers across the state benefit from enhanced safety measures.

Ahead of Deadline

Officials will conduct inspections in the coming weeks to ensure full compliance. The move positions Goa as one of the few states in India actively enforcing stringent safety measures in sleeper coach operations, setting a benchmark for other regions to follow.