Delhi to Strengthen Safety Protocols After Fire Incidents in Government Buses

New Delhi: Following multiple fire incidents in Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) buses over recent months, the Delhi government has announced a comprehensive safety audit to prevent future accidents. Transport Minister Dr. Pankaj Kumar Singh held a high-level review meeting on Monday to address the issue, emphasizing strict safety and maintenance protocols for all buses.

Audit and Safety Measures
The minister directed a full technical audit of all buses manufactured by companies whose vehicles were involved in fire incidents. The review will cover overcharging, overheating, and compact-area diagnostics, ensuring that no bus is operating with compromised safety standards. Buses experiencing battery heating issues will adopt low-voltage charging to minimize risk and extend battery life.

Key Directives from the Review Meeting

• Both CNG and electric buses will undergo rigorous technical audits.
• Wiring systems will be reinforced, and control systems checked for faults.
• A real-time monitoring system will track battery health, inverter temperature, and current.
• Enhanced fire suppression systems will be installed in engine and battery compartments.
• Buses with over 200 charging cycles will undergo full maintenance checks for overcharging, overheating, and other technical issues.
• All buses from manufacturers with prior fire incidents will be subjected to a complete safety audit.
• Depot staff and technicians will receive advanced training aligned with new safety standards.
• Fire safety at depots will be improved, including proper isolation distances at charging points and availability of fire hydrants.

Recent Fire Incidents in DTC Buses

• 5 Nov 2025: Fire broke out in an electric bus at Dhaula Kuan; all passengers were safely evacuated.
• 5 Oct 2025: Electric bus caught fire at Majnu Ka Tila; no casualties reported.
• 10 Oct 2025: CNG bus completely gutted by fire.

Zero Tolerance Policy
Minister Dr. Singh emphasized that every DTC bus must comply with all safety standards. “Any lapse in maintenance or safety will be met with zero tolerance,” he said, adding that expert recommendations from IIT Delhi will be incorporated into the action plan.

The government’s decisive steps aim to restore passenger confidence and prevent any recurrence of such hazardous incidents in the capital’s public transport system.