Bhubaneswar: Prioritising passenger safety, the state government organised an awareness meeting on fire safety in public transport Monday.
The programme was jointly conducted by the Department of Commerce and Transport, Directorate of Fire and Emergency Services, and the State Bus Owners’ Association at the Regional Transport Office, Bhubaneswar–I, to prevent fire-related mishaps.
The meeting was chaired by Director General Sudhanshu Sarangi of Fire and Emergency Services and attended by Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur, senior officials from the Transport department, and representatives of the State Bus Owners’ Association.
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In light of recent bus fire incidents reported in various parts of the country, the meeting discussed preventive measures and the importance of strict adherence to fire safety protocols in passenger vehicles.
Sarangi stressed that bus operators must take moral as well as legal responsibility for ensuring the safety of passengers. “Bus staff must be trained to detect and respond to any signs of fire immediately.
They should know how to use fire extinguishers and emergency exits efficiently,” he said.
The Fire DG directed officials to prepare a detailed list identifying buses that comply with fire safety norms and those that do not, so that corrective steps can be taken.
He also announced that all bus employees across the state will undergo fire safety training in phases.
Thakur emphasised special focus on school buses, air-conditioned (AC) coaches, and night service buses, which face a higher risk of fire due to electrical load and continuous operation. “Even a small lapse can lead to a major tragedy.
Bus operators must ensure that passengers are informed of safety protocols, just as it is done in aeroplanes,” he said.
Members of the Bus Owners’ Association and representatives from bus manufacturing companies expressed full support for the initiative.
They agreed to coordinate closely with the government to ensure that all fire safety guidelines are implemented effectively.
The meeting concluded with a consensus to conduct joint awareness drives, periodic inspections, and hands-on fire safety training sessions for all staff, reinforcing the government’s commitment to passenger safety.
