Fires in Indore route buses raise safety concerns:Arbitrary interior modifications, overheating and short circuits emerging as major causes

Incidents of fires in sleeper buses are being reported repeatedly, raising serious concerns over passenger safety and vehicle maintenance standards. On Friday, a sleeper bus travelling from Indore to Shivpuri caught fire near Shajapur, killing a child. On Sunday, another fire broke out in an Indore-Sagar bus. Experts investigating the causes behind these recurring incidents say arbitrary interior modifications, poor electrical fittings, overheating and short circuits are among the primary reasons for such accidents. They also pointed out that there is no effective government mechanism to independently inspect the fitness of buses. Fitness certificates are currently being issued by private agencies, leading to allegations of irregularities and negligence. According to available information, more than 600 sleeper buses operate daily from Indore to destinations including Delhi, Mumbai, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh. More than 25,000 passengers reportedly travel on these buses every day. Experts warn against unsafe modifications Automobile experts say many private bus operators modify vehicle interiors without adhering to safety standards. To attract passengers with luxury facilities, operators often install locally sourced electrical fittings, LED screens, speakers, lighting systems, sockets, air-conditioning compressors and decorative interiors. According to experts, the use of low-quality materials and unauthorized modifications significantly increases the risk of fire accidents. Major reasons behind bus fires Electrical short circuits Experts say electrical short circuits remain the most common cause of fires in sleeper buses. Heavy load on AC units, mobile charging points, LED lighting systems and additional wiring often puts excessive pressure on the electrical network. Low-quality local wiring, worn-out cables and overheating further increase the risk. Since multiple electronic systems remain operational continuously inside sleeper buses, the pressure on wiring systems remains high throughout the journey. Engine and Battery overheating Overheating inside the engine compartment and battery short circuits are also major causes of bus fires. Leakage in fuel pipelines may cause diesel to spill onto overheated engine parts. Although diesel does not ignite easily, the combination of high engine temperatures and electrical sparks can rapidly spread fire. AC compressor and generator faults Air-conditioned buses carry additional power loads. Experts say jammed AC compressors, gas leakage and faults in generator or inverter systems can also trigger fires. Use of highly flammable interior materials Sleeper coaches often contain foam mattresses, curtains, plastic panels and cushioned seating materials that catch fire quickly and release toxic smoke. Several deaths in past incidents have reportedly occurred due to suffocation and smoke inhalation rather than direct burns. Poor emergency exit and Safety arrangements Experts also highlighted serious deficiencies in emergency evacuation systems in many private buses. Emergency windows are often jammed, fire extinguishers remain non-functional and many buses have only one entry-exit point. In sleeper coaches, passengers occupying upper berths face additional difficulty escaping during emergencies. Safety precautions passengers should follow Experts have advised passengers to check safety arrangements immediately after boarding a bus. Passengers should: Experts demand stricter rules for vehicle modifications Automobile engineer and safety expert Nitin Khare said most private bus operators fail to conduct preventive maintenance. According to him, procedures such as wiring audits, fire drills, AC system inspections and emergency exit testing are often limited to paperwork and are rarely implemented properly. He stressed that authorities should establish stricter regulations governing bus modifications and conduct regular inspections. Khare also called for strict action against operators violating safety norms, warning that unchecked modifications continue to put thousands of passengers at risk daily.