Delhi mandates strict bus safety overhaul following alleged sleeper bus gang-rape

Following the alleged gang-rape of a 16-year-old girl inside a moving sleeper bus, the Delhi government’s Transport Department has issued a comprehensive order tightening safety and operational standards across the capital’s public transit network.

The stringent new guidelines order all bus operators to ensure emergency features- specifically panic buttons and Vehicle Location Tracking Devices (VLTD), remain operational at all times. To eliminate hidden areas within vehicles, the government has also prohibited curtains and tinted window films on all buses.

Beyond equipment mandates, the directive enforces strict operational protocols. Operators must ensure buses stop only at designated, safe locations- explicitly forbidding drop-offs or pickups in the middle of roads or at intersections. During idle hours and overnight, buses must be parked exclusively in authorized, secure, and adequately lit facilities.


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The order also establishes immediate protocols for the crew during emergencies. Drivers, conductors, and staff must undergo sensitivity training to prevent harassment. In any instance of misconduct, molestation, or eve-teasing, the crew is directed to notify authorities instantly and drive the vehicle directly to the nearest police station, police post, or PCR van.

Staff credentials and behavior are being placed under higher scrutiny as well. Drivers must possess valid licenses, wear prescribed uniforms, and pass background verifications prior to deployment. The order reiterates a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Additional safety layers were introduced for specialized transport and environmental compliance. School buses are now required to deploy authorized attendants wherever necessary and keep doors securely closed while in motion. Furthermore, all operators must comply with current emission standards and hold valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates.

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Reiterating the administration's stance, Transport Minister Pankaj Singh stressed that enforcement will be absolute.

"Passenger safety is non-negotiable. Every bus operating in Delhi must meet prescribed safety and operational standards, with essential systems and equipment remaining functional at all times. We are committed to making public transport safer and more reliable for every commuter."

The measures come in the wake of an incident on the night of August 4, where a Class 11 student from Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly assaulted by the driver and conductor of a sleeper bus before being abandoned near Kashmere Gate, more than 40 kilometers away. Both accused individuals have since been arrested.

(With inputs from TOI)