In Udaipur district, Rajasthan, the implementation of new bus safety regulations by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has brought bus manufacturing to a standstill. The revised Automotive Industry Standard 052 (AIS-052), effective from September 1, 2025, was introduced to enhance safety following deadly bus fires in Jaisalmer and Andhra Pradesh that resulted in over 50 fatalities. The stringent compliance requirements have increased costs and bureaucratic hurdles for small manufacturers, many of whom belong to the Suthar community, traditionally involved in woodworking. With the new rules, manufacturers must now undergo extensive testing and certification processes, which could take months and significantly raise costs — from approximately ₹30 lakh (around $36,000 USD) to over ₹1 crore (about $120,000 USD). Political leaders, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, have met with affected manufacturers, promising financial assistance and reduced licensing times. However, the lack of implementation has left many workshops, which employ thousands, in limbo. Workers are feeling the impact, with some reporting a complete loss of income due to halted production. The new regulations, while aimed at improving safety, have created an uncertain future for small bus manufacturers in Rajasthan.