Guard rails for bus windows could have averted deaths

The newer buses, with bigger windows, come without the protection

THE RISK: A commuter can’t help peeping out of a BMTC bus window. Photo: Bhagya Prakash K.

Two young lives need not have been lost had their bus windows been fitted with guard rails.

On November 23 last, D.M. Shiva Murthy (24), travelling on a BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation) bus died when a parked tipper lorry's rear view mirror clipped his neck near the Nagawara Junction on the outer ring road (ORR).

R. Harish Rai (24) died under similar circumstances on March 12 this year on the ORR near Bhadrappa Layout. The bus brushed a stationary lorry while overtaking it, and Rai, who was peering out of the window, died when his head hit the lorry.

While the Central Motor Vehicle Rules mention guard rail for windows, their installation is not legally binding on passenger bus operators. However, the Bus Body Design and Approval code, brought out by Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India in 2008, is specific.

Specifications

The code mandates that window guard rails are a must for all categories of buses, intra-city, intercity and interstate, except air-conditioned deluxe buses (ACX buses). There should be minimum of two guard rails, the first one at a height of 75 mm from the lower window sill. The distance between the two rail guards should be 75 to 100 mm.

On the other hand, the Urban Bus Specification, brought out by the Ministry of Urban Development, states that guard rails for windowpanes need not be provided if the lower edge of the window sill is 200 mm above the uncompressed top of the seat cushion. This means if the distance between the seat and the lower window sill is less than 200 mm, there is enough room for passengers to poke their heads out with possibly lethal consequences.

The anomaly

While BMTC buses prior to the introduction of Parisara Vahinis had smaller windows and guard rails, the Vahinis, with bigger windows, are not fitted with guard rails. Even the newer versions of semi-low floor buses don't have any. When asked about it, BMTC Managing Director K.R. Srinivasa and Director (Technical) S.K. Paramesh told The Hindu the corporation would examine the feasibility of installing guard rails for all buses.

State Transport and Road Safety Commissioner T. Sham Bhat said though rules don't mandate them, it would be better to have guard rails in the interest of passenger safety.