Sun Oct 26 15:24:18 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the text provided, formatted as a news piece:

Headline: Kerala Cracks Down on Sleeper Buses After Deadly Fires Raise Safety Concerns

KOCHI, India – October 26, 2025 – Following a series of fatal fires involving sleeper buses across India, authorities in Kerala are launching a major crackdown on inter-state luxury bus operators. The move comes amid growing alarm over lax safety standards and alleged irregularities plaguing the industry.

An estimated 200 sleeper buses operate daily from Kerala to major cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, and Hyderabad. However, recent incidents, including a devastating fire on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway on Sunday and previous blazes in Kurnool and Jaisalmer, have highlighted critical safety deficiencies.

The Kerala Transport Department, already grappling with complaints of reckless driving and tax evasion among luxury bus operators, will shift its enforcement focus from standard stage carriage buses to contract carriage and All India Tourist Permit (AITP) vehicles. Officials cite frequent illegal modifications and poor compliance with safety regulations as primary concerns.

“We are seeing inadequate emergency equipment, like hammers and fire extinguishers, and too few emergency exits,” a Transport Department source revealed. “Many of these buses are registered in northeastern states where annual fitness tests are not strictly enforced, allowing poorly maintained vehicles to operate.”

Motor Vehicle Department (MVD) officials have even discovered instances where buses claimed to have undergone inspections in other states were simultaneously recorded passing through Kerala toll plazas. A high-ranking MVD official emphasized that sleeper buses, lacking safety harnesses, are not “type-approved” for long-distance travel in a reclined position.

Road safety experts like Upendra Narayanan advocate for design improvements in luxury buses, including relocating fuel tanks to safer positions, installing main circuit breakers to cut power in emergencies, and using fire-retardant materials. They also suggest the incorporation of alcometers to deter drunken driving.

The crackdown aims to ensure passenger safety and hold operators accountable for adhering to stringent safety standards, potentially preventing future tragedies.

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