The Delhi government has introduced safety measures for all buses operating in Delhi after a minor girl was gang-raped inside a moving bus in Noida. The 16-year-old girl was raped in a sleeper bus by the driver and conductor, later abandoned near Kashmere Gate.
The bus reportedly had its curtains drawn and was found to be without any working CCTV facility, despite mandatory security measures that came into effect after the Nirbhaya case in 2012. This incident has raised serious doubts about safety measures on buses operating in Delhi.
The case has compelled the Delhi government to make new directions which apply to all buses operating in Delhi. According to these new directions, the vehicle location tracking devices (VLTDs) of the operating buses have to function throughout, and the panic buttons have to be functional and easily accessible as well. Furthermore, working fire extinguishers and first-aid kits need to be provided on board.
Terming passenger safety as “non-negotiable”, Transport Minister Pankaj Kumar Singh added that the bus operators have been instructed to park the buses only at authorized and well-lit locations at night and during other idle hours. He added that the Transport Department will undertake enforcement action to check compliance with these directions under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
No curtains or any other unauthorized film can be used on buses. Films are not allowed on windows, and the required standards of transparency for windshields, rear windows, and side windows should be maintained.
In addition, these regulations have also put additional responsibilities on the bus crew. Drivers and conductors need to have valid licenses, uniforms, and Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badges wherever required, and operators are supposed to perform background checks of the staff before deployment. Driving under the influence of alcohol or intoxicants is strictly prohibited.
A special emphasis has been put on ensuring women’s safety. The operators are supposed to sensitize the drivers, conductors and other bus crew members for prevention of harassment. The directions extend to buses from other states operating in Delhi as well.
The department has directed bus operators that in the event of any incident involving indecent behaviour, molestation, eve-teasing or any other offence against a woman, the bus crew must immediately inform police and take the bus to the nearest police station, police post or PCR van.
