*Steps taken for the Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways* 1. As regards the Bus Body Code, this Ministry had already notified the Bus Body Code to make buses fully accessible. All the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) of buses are complying with the code which will account for 1/6th of the total buses. Ministry vide GSR 159(E) dated the 6th March 2024 has prescribed a level playing field in the area of manufacturing of buses by OEMs and Bus Body Builders. The said regulation will come into effect from September 2025. Further, the Bus Body Builders in the unorganised sector be also subjected to the type approval process (at par with the OEMs) instead of through the self-certification method, currently in vogue. In addition to the proposed applicability of such uniform test procedures, the bus body builders will also have to meet the applicable safety and performance requirements. 2. As regards Sector Specific Guidelines on AIC, the following details are provided:- (i). This Ministry formulated “Accessibility Guidelines for Bus Terminals and Bus Stops” (hereafter Accessibility Guidelines) in August 2022. These Guidelines have been put in the public domain on MoRTH’s website and have also been issued to SRTUs/ STUs/ SRTCs. (ii). Further, in the case of Bus Stops & Bus depots, the matter is in the ambit of the State/UT Government(s). The State Transport Undertakings & Transport Corporations/Local Municipal Departments undertake the construction & maintenance of Bus stops and Bus Terminals. These authorities are under the administrative control of the State Government. Furthermore, Transportation by Road being is a State Subject by virtue of Item 13 of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. (iii). As far as achieving Accessibility in buses is concerned, the required accessibility in the special types of buses are already mandated vide AlS:052 has been notified (GSR 287(E) dt 22.04.2014). This notifies special provisions for Disabled Passengers i.e at least two passenger seats in case of Mini & Midi buses and four passenger seats in case of other buses designated as priority seats for persons with disabilities in Type-l buses, seats designated for disabled passengers shall be indicated with the appropriate sign, priority seats shall be provided with appropriate facility for securing the crutches, canes, walkers etc. to facilitate convenient travel for persons with disabilities and Handrails and/or stanchions shall be provided at the entrance of all Type | buses in a configuration, which allows persons with disabilities to grasp such assists. (iv). Further, AIS:153 has been notified (GSR 367(E) dt 13.04.2018) which states that Fully built buses, with a seating capacity of 13 passengers or above excluding driver, manufactured on and after the 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). (v). GSR 959(E) dt 27.12.2019 has been notified, which contains provisions for providing Divyangjan features i.e Priority Seat, Signs, Securing of crutches/canes/walkers, Handrail/Stanchions, control at priority seats, wheelchair entry/housing/locking arrangement for wheelchair in buses w.e.f. 01.03.2020. This Notification mandates that the renewal of the fitness certificate shall be made only after tests regarding the above accessibility features have been made. 3. The role of the Central Government is to notify the regulation under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. The implementation of the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 comes under the purview of State Transport Authorities. https://sangyan.medium.com/status-note-for-accessibility-in-public-transport-march-2025-58c4100100a4