Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the state government is fully vigilant in ensuring the safety of passengers during the autumn and winter seasons. Following the Chief Minister's instructions, the Transport Department has issued special guidelines aimed at providing safe, organised, and uninterrupted transport facilities to bus passengers in the state.
These include instructions to operate buses with extreme caution in conditions such as fog and low visibility, to limit night services as necessary, and to inform passengers about safety measures.
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Uttar Pradesh's Minister of State for Transport (Independent Charge), Dayashankar Singh, has issued detailed orders to the Transport Corporation and relevant officials regarding the safe and controlled operation of buses during the autumn and winter season. He stated that it is essential to operate buses with extreme caution in conditions of fog and low visibility, and that it is the state government's responsibility to provide passengers with a safe journey.
The Transport Minister has directed that in foggy conditions, the speed of buses should not exceed 40 km per hour, while in extreme fog, the bus should be stopped in a safe place and only proceed once visibility improves. Instructions have also been given to continuously inform passengers about safety measures through announcements over the public address system at bus stations.
He stated that on routes with dense fog, night services should be limited as necessary, and the deployment of experienced drivers with accident-free and good fuel records must be ensured for these services. It must also be ensured that a driver has had at least 8 hours of rest before undertaking a night service. Instructions have been given to temporarily suspend night services with a load factor of less than 50 per cent.
Instructions have been given to conduct a 13-point out-shedding inspection before dispatching long-distance and night service buses, and a regular 31-point physical check during operation. It has been made mandatory for all corporations and contracted buses to have fully functional retro-reflective tape, fog lights, all-weather bulbs, wipers, and windows.
Instructions have also been issued for mandatory alcohol tests using a breathalyser during inspections by interceptor and enforcement vehicles deployed on the routes.
The Transport Minister has asked drivers to exercise special caution on three types of roads. Instructions have been given to avoid sudden stops on expressways, to drive on the right side on roads with dividers, and to drive on the left side on roads without dividers to prevent accidents.
He directed that all drivers and conductors be given special training regarding these guidelines to ensure that buses are operated with controlled speed and alertness. He reiterated that the Yogi government is fully committed to protecting the life of every citizen and that getting passengers to their destinations safely is the government's highest priority.