MP’s luxury buses charge like airlines, but safety missing:No emergency gates or fire safety systems; rules flouted despite ministerial orders

During the festive season, private bus operators in Madhya Pradesh are charging fares four to five times higher than usual. These inflated fares are almost equal to the cost of flight tickets. Yet, passenger safety is being completely ignored. Despite clear instructions from the Transport Minister, Rao Uday Pratap Singh, unsafe and illegal practices continue on most routes. A Bhaskar investigation across Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur, and other cities found serious violations of safety and fare regulations. Minister’s meeting and orders On 16 October, Transport Minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh held a meeting with Transport Department officials. He directed them to stop arbitrary fare hikes and ensure full compliance with safety standards in all passenger buses. However, Bhaskar’s ground investigation showed that these orders are not being followed anywhere. What the investigation found When Bhaskar reporters inspected AC and deluxe buses running on routes like Bhopal–Indore, Jabalpur–Pune, and Mumbai, they discovered that passengers were paying thousands of rupees to travel in unsafe conditions. Four major safety lapses were found. 1. No Emergency Doors Most buses had no proper emergency exits. In some, a small hidden gate was placed under seats, which would be impossible to find or open in an emergency. 2. Fire Extinguishers Only for Show Though fire extinguishers were installed, staff had no idea how to use them. Only drivers had basic training. Conductors and other crew members were unaware of fire safety procedures. 3. Narrow Passages and Tough Glass Windows The passages inside many buses were extremely narrow—two people could not pass at once. In a panic situation, escape would be nearly impossible. Windows had laminated glass, which is very difficult to break. If the main door gets jammed, passengers could be trapped inside. 4. No Safety Instructions for Passengers Passengers were not told about safety exits or procedures. Nitesh Patidar, travelling from Bhopal to Indore, said, “I don’t know where the emergency gate is. The driver and conductor didn’t tell us anything.” Seats installed instead of emergency exits In several buses, extra seats were added where emergency gates should have been. In Volvo and AC sleeper buses, the rear sections were completely sealed. In case of fire or smoke, there would be no way to escape. A similar incident in Rajasthan recently killed 20 passengers when the bus’s automatic door locked and windows could not be broken. The same risk exists in many buses from Bhopal and Indore. A conductor named Yash Nagale, from a Volvo bus on the Pune route, confirmed that the bus had only one door. “There is no emergency exit,” he said. “If an accident happens, it will take at least 15 minutes for passengers to get out.” Passenger buses turned into goods carriers Many long-distance buses were found carrying heavy parcels along with passengers. Hundreds of quintals of goods were loaded on roofs and in luggage compartments. This extra load disturbs the vehicle’s balance and increases the risk of overturning or catching fire. No action is being taken against such operators. Fares four to five times higher Despite these safety violations, bus operators are charging arbitrary fares. On long routes such as Indore, Bhopal, Jabalpur, Rewa, Guna, Shivpuri, and Chhindwara to Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad, fares have gone up four to five times. For instance, the Bhopal–Rewa fare, usually Rs 800 to Rs 1,000, has risen to Rs 3,100–3,700. The Indore–Rewa fare has also crossed Rs 3,700. One bus operator said, “During Diwali, demand is so high that people are ready to pay up to Rs 8,000.” High fares on online apps too At Bhopal’s ISBT bus stand, Sunita Singh from Sidhi had been waiting since noon for a bus to Rewa. “I couldn’t get a train ticket, so I came here,” she said. “But buses are asking four to five times the normal fare. We are three people; how can we afford it? I’ll wait till 9 p.m. in hope of finding a cheaper bus.” Many passengers were seen stranded at the bus stand or searching online for affordable tickets. The overcharging continues even on booking apps and websites. Expert View: Transport staff negligent Transport expert Shyam Sundar Sharma said that under the Road Transportation Act, fares for all types of buses—ordinary, AC, and deluxe—are fixed. Each bus and stand must display a fare list. “The Transport Department is responsible for controlling fares and enforcing safety,” he said. “However, field officers rarely take action. Only after the minister’s recent meeting has there been some action in Indore.” He added that the department’s negligence is also responsible for bus accidents. “Buses must have emergency exits, but many AC buses don’t. Those responsible for violating safety rules should be punished.” Who Is responsible Principal Secretary, Transport Department: Responsible for overall transport policy, fare regulation, and implementation of safety rules across the state. Transport Commissioner: Must monitor actions against overcharging and safety violations, run safety campaigns, and ensure strict enforcement. Deputy Transport Commissioner (Divisional): Head of the fare fixation committee at the divisional level; responsible for stopping overcharging in their area. Regional Transport Officer (RTO): Directly responsible for enforcing the Motor Vehicles Act and checking bus fitness. Must curb illegal operations under tourist permits. District Collector: As head of district administration, the Collector must ensure passenger safety during festivals by coordinating with the RTO and police to stop illegal fare hikes and unsafe buses. Ground Reality Despite ministerial orders and defined responsibilities, bus operators continue to flout safety norms and overcharge passengers. Passengers are being forced to risk their lives in unsafe buses while paying prices equal to air tickets. Until strict and consistent action is taken, both safety and fairness will remain missing from MP’s public transport system.