As the deadline approaches for the implementation of an order issued by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Mullai Muhilan, confusion reigns regarding the installation of doors on buses in Mangaluru. The order mandates that all buses registered after 2017 must have doors installed for passenger safety.
However, there is a divergence of opinion among bus owners, with some claiming that there is no such requirement for city buses. Jayasheela Adyanthaya, former president of the Private Bus Owners Association, explained, “We have engaged in discussions with the transport and police departments, advocating for an exemption for buses registered before 2017 from the mandatory installation of doors. The recent rule amendment stipulates that buses registered post-2017 should come equipped with pre-installed doors.”
The DC has unequivocally stated that all private city buses registered since 2017 must install doors within the next month and furnish an affidavit confirming compliance. Adyanthaya highlighted the challenges associated with retrofitting doors onto buses registered before 2017, citing the fundamental differences in their body structures. Such modifications would incur substantial expenses for bus owners. Additionally, some buses previously had doors but had them removed for convenience.
“While ensuring passenger safety is our top priority and we are committed to taking necessary measures, the immediate installation of doors poses significant logistical challenges,” Adyanthaya emphasized.
The urgency for enhanced safety measures stems from a tragic incident wherein a bus conductor lost his life after falling from a door in Nanthoor. Subsequently, concerns regarding the safety of passengers and conductors have been amplified.
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