Bhubaneswar: Sleeper coach buses with illegal driver-partition doors have come under the government’s scanner, with regional transport offices (RTOs) launching a week-long statewide crackdown from Wednesday.According to transport department officials, partition doors separating the driver’s space from the passenger section are prohibited under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR) and Automotive Industry Standards (AIS). Officials warn that such obstructions could hinder evacuation through the front exit during a fire emergency. “All RTOs have been directed to conduct a seven-day enforcement drive against unauthorized driver-partition doors,” an order issued by the State Transport Authority (STA) on Tuesday said.RTOs will inspect the sleeper bus body design and issue challans against violators. Following some fatal fire incidents in the country, bus operators and body builders or manufacturers have been instructed to strictly follow the prescribed safety norms. According to the Transport Department, strictness is necessary to avoid tragedies like Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh. On October 14, 2025, 20 passengers died when a bus caught fire on the Jaisalmer-Jodhpur highway in Rajasthan. A few days later, on October 24, 2025, 19 passengers died in a fire in a sleeper bus in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) in November last year had directed all states to implement mandatory safety measures, including removal of partition doors, installation of fire detection and suppression systems (FDSS) and strict certification of bus body builders. Terming the violation of CMVR and AIS standards as “criminal negligence”, the NHRC urged the state government to fix accountability on both bus operators and transport authorities who approve fitness certification for non-compliant vehicles.Odisha Fire and Emergency Services has recently prepared a standard operating procedure (SOP) to strengthen fire safety protocols in buses. The SOP requires bus owners to conduct safety audits and ensure adequate fire equipment, with fire service personnel guiding operators on compliance.Road safety expert Subrata Nanda highlighted another concern. “Many sleeper coaches are illegally using manual sliders for berths instead of curtains, creating additional risk during emergencies,” Nanda said. The transport department has reiterated that all sleeper buses must have fire extinguishing equipment, and bus bodies made through illegal chassis or body extensions in violation of AIS norms are strictly prohibited.