NHRC Demands Action on Fatal Bus Design Flaws

The NHRC has issued a notice to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways about design flaws in public transport buses that endanger passengers. The flaws include the separation of the driver's cabin from the passenger area, preventing early fire detection. The Commission seeks urgent safety improvements.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a formal notice to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, drawing attention to a severe design flaw in public transport buses. The action follows a complaint highlighting 'fatal flaws' responsible for endangering passengers.

Recent incidents where buses caught fire mid-journey were cited as preventable. The complainant criticized the vehicle design, specifically separating the driver's cabin from the passenger area, which delays response in emergencies. This is seen as a violation of passengers' Right to Life under Article 21 of the Constitution, blaming vehicle manufacturers and authorities for negligence.

On November 26, the NHRC ordered an inquiry under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. A report, due within two weeks, was requested from the Ministry's Secretary and the Director of the Central Institute of Road Transport, Pune, Maharashtra, to address the failures and propose safety measures.