Amid growing industry focus on passenger safety following recent bus fire incidents across the country, Prakash, the flagship bus body building brand of SM Kannappa Automobiles Pvt. Ltd., has reaffirmed its commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and fully compliant passenger transportation solutions.
With over six decades of experience in bus body building, Prakash has established itself as one of India’s most trusted manufacturers, serving private operators, State Transport Undertakings (STUs), leading commercial vehicle OEMs, and emerging electric mobility players. The company currently operates four manufacturing facilities around Bengaluru and continues to invest in advanced infrastructure, engineering capabilities, and quality systems to meet evolving industry requirements.
Safety remains a core focus across every stage of Prakash’s bus design and manufacturing process. The company builds its buses in accordance with applicable CMVR regulations and AIS standards, incorporating multiple safety features and rigorous quality controls. These include the use of fire-retardant interior materials, approved components, protected electrical wiring systems, emergency exits and roof hatches, safety signage, and provisions for fire detection and suppression systems wherever mandated or specified by customers. Every vehicle undergoes comprehensive inspection and quality assurance checks before dispatch, supported by continuous process monitoring and adherence to approved manufacturing practices.
Further strengthening its compliance credentials, Prakash has recently become the first bus body builder in the country to obtain authorisation from the National Informatics Centre (NIC) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to upload approved AIS-153 compliance data directly, a capability that was previously available primarily to vehicle OEMs. The milestone underscores the company’s commitment to transparency, regulatory compliance, and industry best practices.
Prakash has also expanded its presence in the electric mobility space, recently building electric coaches for MC2 Mobility, Switch Mobility, and VE Commercial Vehicles (VECV), reflecting its readiness to support the industry’s transition towards sustainable transportation while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Commenting on the company’s approach, Kesavan T, Director – Technical, said, “At Prakash, safety is embedded into every stage of bus construction. Our commitment is to deliver vehicles that meet the highest standards of safety, reliability, and regulatory compliance for passengers and operators alike.”
As the bus industry continues to evolve with new technologies and stricter safety expectations, Prakash remains focused on combining engineering excellence, regulatory compliance, and proven manufacturing expertise to deliver passenger vehicles that inspire confidence among operators and commuters alike.