pune msrtc has started manufacturing 50 shayanyaans its maiden initiative to run buses with beds amid posers on such coaches after the accident on samruddhi expressway earlier this monthd g chikorde the works manager at the maharashtra state road transport corporation msrtcs central workshop at dapodi told toi that the 50 sleeper coaches would be completely ready within a months time in the first phase these nonairconditioned buses would be 12 metres long they will be complete sleeper coaches without any seats the total passenger capacity of each bus would be 30 on one side there would be two berths and one berth on the other he saidthe state transport department had said after the samruddhi expressway accident that they would approach the arai automotive research association of india to study the design of sleeper buses in the state and suggest changes related to safetyattempts to contact the state transport commissioner vivek bhimanwar proved futile his phone was not reachable an official with the pune rto regional transport office said he would comment on msrtcs slepper coaches after they hit the streets a transporter said sleeper buses manufactured in the state were different from those in other states regulations regarding manufacturing need to be uniform across the country with stress on safety and the transport ministry should ensure it in the sleeper coaches of maharashtra the gangway or the path in the interior of the bus is very narrow the transporter said requesting anonymitymsrtc officials said they were aware of the risks involved in sleeper coaches and their shayanyaans would have proper safety measures in place there will be three escape hatches on the roof in addition to a back door usually not seen in sleeper buses in addition to an emergency exit the windows of these nonac buses can be opened easily every cabin will have a hammer inside a glass case for emergency situations we are looking at other safety features too another state transport official saidexperts were not convinced though bus designer and former driver ravi mahendale said in case a sleeper bus turns turtle its height makes rescue operations difficult the focus should be on stopping the manufacturing of sleeper coaches instead more comfortable buses with plush seats and space should be builtgarima singh from indore currently residing in pune had similar views my family members have stopped me from taking sleeper coaches after the expressway accident these buses have a choking feeling because of less space getting out of them is a struggle she said