As India’s bus industry moves towards safer, more sophisticated and passenger-centric vehicles, innovation in bus body design is becoming a key differentiator. Guru Ram Dass Body Builders is seeking to redefine premium coach manufacturing through advanced styling, improved aerodynamics and a strong emphasis on safety with its flagship luxury coach, Mirabelle. At the same time, the company is sharpening its focus on its core expertise by partnering with leading OEMs as the market transitions towards electric mobility. In this interview with Bus Coach India, Mayank Kukreja, CEO and MD, Guru Ram Dass Body Builders, shares his vision for premium bus manufacturing, the inspiration behind Mirabelle, and the company’s strategy for the evolving electric bus landscape.
Q: Guru Ram Dass Body Builders has been expanding steadily. Could you tell us about your current production capacity and the company’s growth trajectory?
At present, we manufacture around 30 buses every month. Our objective is not simply to increase production volumes but to transform the way buses are designed and built in India. Traditionally, many manufacturers have equated luxury with adding expensive seats or premium accessories. I have always believed that true luxury goes far beyond that. It begins with the overall design, aerodynamics, aesthetics, passenger comfort and, most importantly, safety. That vision inspired us to launch our flagship luxury coach, Mirabelle, on January 15. We wanted to create a product that genuinely reflects premium engineering rather than just premium fittings. The design carries a European feel in terms of styling and refinement while being completely designed and manufactured in India.
Q: What inspired the development of Mirabel, and how is it different from conventional luxury buses?
My vision was very clear. Luxury should be visible in the design itself. It should not depend only on adding costly accessories. The bus should have attractive styling, superior aerodynamics and an overall premium appearance. More importantly, it should deliver a safer travel experience. Unfortunately, the Indian bus industry has often compromised on safety because of excessive cost-cutting. We wanted to challenge that mindset. Mirabelle combines luxury styling with advanced safety features, ensuring passengers experience both comfort and confidence while travelling.
Q: How do you see the future of electric buses, and does Guru Ram Dass Body Builders plan to manufacture complete electric buses?
The government’s vision clearly indicates that electric buses will dominate public transportation by 2030 or 2035. However, we must also understand our strengths as a company. We are specialists in bus body fabrication, not in manufacturing complete electric vehicles. Building an electric bus from the ground up involves chassis development, battery technology, powertrain integration, homologation, approvals and investments running into thousands of crores. That is an entirely different business. Our strategy is to remain focused on what we do best. We will continue manufacturing advanced bus bodies and collaborate with established OEMs such as Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Eicher and other vehicle manufacturers. We have no plans to manufacture fully built electric buses ourselves because I believe every company should stay within its area of expertise.
Q: What can customers expect from Guru Ram Dass Body Builders in the coming years?
Innovation will remain continuous. We intend to introduce a new luxury bus model every six months. After launching Mirabelle, we are preparing to launch another premium model called Kyros. Following that, we will introduce a high-end luxury sleeper coach equipped with world-class safety systems. Our long-term goal is to position Indian luxury buses alongside the best international products. Every new model will combine premium design with uncompromising safety standards.
Q: You frequently mention European safety standards. Why are they so important to you?
When I refer to European standards, I am not suggesting that we should copy Europe. Our products are proudly made in India. However, Europe has established extremely high benchmarks for passenger safety, and those benchmarks should inspire us. The biggest problem in India is that many manufacturers compromise on safety to reduce costs. A customer negotiates aggressively, asking for a bus at a lower price, and manufacturers respond by removing safety features. Eventually, that compromise affects passenger protection. We want to reverse that trend by ensuring safety is never sacrificed for pricing.
Q: Long-distance operators increasingly demand buses equipped with washrooms. What is your perspective on this segment?
We do manufacture toilet-equipped buses, but I believe the industry has not implemented them correctly. In many buses, washrooms are squeezed into extremely small spaces without considering passenger safety. If someone suffers an emergency or accident inside such a cramped washroom, evacuation becomes difficult. We studied how aircraft lavatories and premium international buses are designed. Their interiors minimise injury risks by avoiding sharp edges, securely mounting fittings and ensuring sufficient movement space. Our objective is to design bus washrooms that prioritise both convenience and safety rather than merely adding another feature.
Q: Bus fire incidents have increased in recent years. What do you believe is causing these accidents?
Many people blame BS-VI technology, but I completely disagree. Additional wiring alone does not cause fires. The real issue lies in poor-quality electrical work. A large number of private body builders do not employ qualified electricians. Household electrical wires, switches and sockets are often installed inside buses. Improper wiring, incorrect cable gauges and unsafe electrical connections create short circuits that eventually lead to fires. At our facility, we have ensured that all electrical work is handled by qualified personnel. We use proper automotive-grade components instead of household electrical fittings. If manufacturers follow professional standards and comply with safety norms, these incidents can be significantly reduced.
Q: What additional safety technologies should become standard in buses?
Every bus should be equipped with fire detection and suppression systems, alarm systems, GPS tracking and adequate panic buttons for passengers. Unfortunately, many buses merely install the minimum number of panic buttons required to pass inspections. Ideally, every seating section should have easy access to emergency alerts. Safety should never become a formality. It must function effectively during emergencies. India has over 150 safety standards applicable to buses. We have incorporated all the required safety measures in our products and remain fully confident about the quality of our buses. Anyone is welcome to inspect and test them.
Q: Do you think electric bus manufacturers will eventually become competitors to bus body builders?
Not at all. As electric vehicle demand grows, OEMs will require specialised body builders to meet rising production volumes. Even the largest manufacturers cannot build every vehicle in-house. They will increasingly rely on companies like ours to fabricate bodies according to their engineering specifications. This creates opportunities rather than challenges for specialised body manufacturers.
Q: The government has become stricter regarding bus body manufacturing standards. How do you view these regulations?
I believe the government’s intentions are absolutely correct. New regulations are introduced to improve passenger safety. The difficulty arises because customers often want lower prices while expecting premium products. Manufacturers are forced to reduce costs, and quality suffers. Instead of resisting regulations, the industry should modernise its manufacturing methods, invest in machinery and improve production quality. Better manufacturing processes produce stronger, safer and more consistent products than manual fabrication alone.
Q: Your company has invested in research and testing. Could you explain how these facilities contribute to quality?
We have established our own R&D centre and testing laboratory because quality cannot depend solely on supplier claims. Every batch of lighting equipment, indicators, headlamps and electrical components undergoes extensive testing. We operate headlamps continuously for 48 hours to check for overheating. We conduct water immersion tests to ensure lenses do not crack or allow moisture ingress. We examine electrical wiring under different operating conditions before installation. Testing is essential because even branded components can occasionally develop defects. By verifying every batch ourselves, we minimise the possibility of failures after delivery.
Q: Finally, what is your long-term vision for Guru Ram Dass Body Builders?
My vision is simple. I want Guru Ram Dass Body Builders to become synonymous with premium quality, advanced safety and innovation. We will continue investing in research, testing and product development while introducing new luxury models at regular intervals. India has tremendous manufacturing capability, and I believe we can build buses that match global standards without compromising on safety or quality. That is the future we are working towards.