IntrCity SmartBus, in collaboration with MG Group and S.M. Kannappa Automobiles, has launched an initiative to improve bus safety standards across India. Responding to a series of recent bus fire incidents, the three organisations jointly released a white paper titled “Bus Safety Standards in India: Facts, Advancements & the Road Ahead.” The report calls for a crucial transition from rules existing only on paper to robust, on-ground enforcement that ensures real passenger protection across the intercity bus ecosystem.
The white paper arrives at a time when India’s intercity transport system is under scrutiny for safety lapses. It explains that while India’s AIS (Automotive Industry Standards) framework is technically sound, the challenges stem from poor implementation, irregular inspections, and unauthorised modifications. Many accidents, it notes, are caused by electrical tampering, overloading, and lack of preventive maintenance — issues that can be avoided through stricter compliance and regular monitoring.
IntrCity SmartBus has taken proactive steps to address these issues by ensuring all its partner fleets work exclusively with certified coach builders and compliant manufacturers. The company has proposed the creation of a National Bus Safety Code and urged for uniform enforcement by state transport authorities. Additionally, it has recommended that all long-distance routes include mandatory safety announcements for passengers and that regular training programs be conducted for drivers, operators, and maintenance staff to instill a safety-first mindset.
“IntrCity SmartBus’ vision is to make long-distance bus travel safer, standardized, and transparent,” said Dinesh Rathi, VP – Bus Transformation Team, IntrCity SmartBus. “With this white paper, we aim to shift the focus from discussion to practical action — ensuring that safety is built into every part of the passenger journey, not treated as an afterthought.”
Industry experts including Vaibhav Narang, Director, S.M. Kannappa Automobiles, and MG Group’s leadership team — Prasad Chougale (Design Engineering Head) and Sivakumar (President, Strategy & Sales), have also voiced the need for stronger nationwide enforcement. They stressed that India already has the right standards in place; what’s missing is consistent accountability. Preventive steps such as periodic maintenance, driver training, and eliminating unsafe electrical modifications are vital to avoid future incidents and build a culture of safety across India’s vast bus network.
