This Ministry vide G.S.R. 367(E) dated 13^th April, 2018 and G.S.R.246 (E) dated 29^th March, 2019 has mandated that the fully built buses (with a seating capacity of 22 passengers or above excluding driver) manufactured on and after 1st April 2019, by Original Equipment Manufacturers shall be in accordance with AIS:153, as amended from time to time, till the corresponding BIS specifications are notified under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 (11 of 2016). Such buses approved shall also comply with the requirements of Fire Detection, Alarm and Suppression system as per AIS:135 and AIS:153.

          Further, this Ministry vide G.S.R. 645(E) dated the 21^st September, 2021 has notified that the type III buses of category M3 and school buses shall also comply with fire Alarm and protection system in occupant compartment as per AIS-135. The said regulation has been published to seek comments from the concerned stakeholders.

This information was given by Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Shri Nitin Gadkari in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.

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MJPS