Andhra Pradesh Government is examining the feasibility of prohibiting sleeper buses in view of a slew of road accidents and flouting of norms by the operators and has taken up the matter with the Center.  

According to State Transport Minister M Ramprasad Reddy, the Government would not hesitate to ban the sleeper coaches totally in the event of frequent violations of norms by the operators resulting in loss of lives.

As an immediate measure, the State Government will be implementing strict norms like speed control and time of travel between two destinations and would register the departure time. Those buses which reach earlier than the prescribed time, would not be allowed to enter the destination.

For all buses that travel beyond 300 km, it is mandatory to have two drivers with a dedicated seat allotted for a driver who could take rest after a stretch of travel. 

Three recent major fire mishaps in the long-distance sleeper coaches at Kurnool, Maredumilli and Markapuram drive the government into action and tightening of the norms for private operators.

The state government has sanctioned ₹40 crore for installing speed guns on the road and is planning to reduce road tax in the state.

Published on April 8, 2026