Uttar Pradesh cracks down on double-decker buses, challans 904 after Supreme Court scrutiny

Uttar Pradesh has intensified enforcement against double-decker buses following Supreme Court scrutiny, issuing challans to 904 buses and grounding 257 during a three-day drive. One Delhi-Darbhanga bus authorized for 31 passengers was caught carrying 76 people with 58 extra seats. The seized bus on Kisan Path also had expired tourist permits and was transporting two-wheelers, an engine, and iron goods in its luggage compartment and roof. Enforcement teams are now verifying whether bus configurations match registration documents and safety standards, with officials noting many violators are registered outside Uttar Pradesh. Department data shows 26 of 36 major double-decker accidents between January and September involved out-of-state vehicles, including from Bihar, Rajasthan, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh. The crackdown follows the September Greater Noida fire that killed nine, with courts demanding details on permits, fitness certificates, and emergency exits.