PUNE:
MSRTC has started manufacturing 50 “Shayan-Yaans”, its maiden initiative to run buses with beds, amid posers on such coaches after the
accident on Samruddhi Expressway earlier this month.
D G Chikorde, the works manager at the
Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC)’s central workshop at Dapodi, told TOI that the 50 sleeper coaches would be completely ready within a month’s time in the first phase. “These non-air-conditioned buses would be 12 metres long. They will be complete sleeper coaches without any seats. The total passenger capacity of each bus would be 30. On one side, there would be two berths, and one berth on the other,” he said.
The state transport department had said after the Samruddhi Expressway accident that they would approach the ARAI (Automotive Research Association of India) to study the design of sleeper buses in the state and suggest changes related to safety.
Attempts to contact the state transport commissioner,
Vivek Bhimanwar, proved futile. His phone was not reachable. An official with the Pune RTO (Regional Transport Office) said he would comment on MSRTC’s slepper coaches after they hit the streets.
A transporter said sleeper buses manufactured in the state were different from those in other states. “Regulations regarding manufacturing need to be uniform across the country with stress on safety and the transport ministry should ensure it. In the sleeper coaches of Maharashtra, the gangway or the path in the interior of the bus is very narrow,” the transporter said, requesting anonymity.
MSRTC officials said they were aware of the risks involved in sleeper coaches and their Shayan-Yaans would have proper safety measures in place. “There will be three escape hatches on the roof in addition to a back door, usually not seen in sleeper buses. In addition to an emergency exit, the windows of these non-AC buses can be opened easily. Every cabin will have a hammer inside a glass case for emergency situations. We are looking at other safety features too,” another state transport official said.
Experts were not convinced, though. Bus designer and former driver Ravi Mahendale said, “In case a sleeper bus turns turtle, its height makes rescue operations difficult. The focus should be on stopping the manufacturing of sleeper coaches. Instead, more comfortable buses with plush seats and space should be built.”
Garima Singh from Indore, currently residing in Pune, had similar views. “My family members have stopped me from taking sleeper coaches after the expressway accident. These buses have a choking feeling because of less space. Getting out of them is a struggle,” she said.
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