New Delhi, October 24, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has sought detailed reports from the Punjab government and the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways over allegations of safety violations involving air-conditioned sleeper buses operating under Punjab’s Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana.
The scheme facilitates pilgrimages for senior citizens and economically disadvantaged people. The complaint before the Commission raised concerns over alleged unauthorised structural modifications, partitions and doors separating drivers’ cabins from passenger compartments, obstructed emergency exits and windows, and inadequate fire detection, suppression and evacuation arrangements.
The NHRC, chaired by Member Priyank Kanoongo, issued notices to the Punjab Chief Secretary and the Secretary of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993.
The Commission has directed the Punjab Chief Secretary to personally ensure an immediate and comprehensive inspection of all buses deployed under the scheme. Any vehicle found violating mandatory safety standards must be taken off the road until the deficiencies are corrected and compliance is verified by the competent authority.
Both authorities have been given seven days to submit detailed Action Taken Reports (ATRs).
The Punjab government’s report must specify the number of buses deployed, inspections conducted, deficiencies identified, corrective action taken, vehicles withdrawn from service and steps initiated to fix accountability among officials and operators.
The Union Ministry has been asked to examine compliance with applicable bus-body design standards, Automotive Industry Standards and Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT) guidelines. It must also report on enforcement measures following earlier proceedings and outline steps to prevent unsafe sleeper buses from operating.
The NHRC said general assurances of compliance or merely forwarding departmental responses would not satisfy its directions. It warned that failure to submit substantive reports within the stipulated period would be viewed seriously.
Emphasising that passenger safety cannot be compromised under welfare programmes, the Commission said mandatory safety standards must be enforced, particularly when schemes involve elderly and other vulnerable beneficiaries.
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