Administration Takes Action Against Safe School Vehicle Policy Violations; 18 Challans Issued During Inspection of 45 School Buses
Special Checking Drive Conducted in Nangal and Sri Anandpur Sahib Blocks; No Compromise on Children’s Safety
Rupnagar, October 23: To ensure the safety of schoolchildren and enforce strict compliance with the Safe School Vehicle Policy, the Regional Transport Department conducted a special checking drive in Rupnagar district. During the campaign, a total of 45 school buses belonging to two schools in the Nangal and Sri Anandpur Sahib blocks were thoroughly inspected, and challans were issued to 18 buses found violating the prescribed rules.
The inspections were conducted at The Renaissance Senior Secondary School in Nangal block and Mount Carmel School in Sri Anandpur Sahib block. A joint team of officials from various departments examined the school buses to verify compliance with mandatory safety standards and facilities required for the safe transportation of children.
During the inspection, Additional Regional Transport Officer S. Sarabjit Singh stated that the safety of schoolchildren remains a top priority for the administration and that violations of the Safe School Vehicle Policy would not be tolerated under any circumstances. He emphasized that school managements and vehicle operators must ensure strict compliance with all prescribed safety standards. He further stated that legal action against those violating the rules would continue.
Representatives of the District Child Protection Unit highlighted that providing safe transportation to children is a shared responsibility of school managements, vehicle operators and the concerned departments. They stressed that every school bus must meet the prescribed safety standards and comply with all applicable regulations.
During the special checking drive, officials inspected several essential safety requirements, including proper identification and markings on school buses, valid fitness certificates, first-aid boxes, CCTV cameras, fire extinguishers, speed governors, emergency exits, valid insurance, pollution certificates, required permits and other prescribed safety arrangements.
The team also verified the necessary documents of bus drivers, including valid driving licences, driving experience, police verification and medical fitness certificates. Special attention was also given to the deployment of female attendants on school buses and the arrangements made to ensure the safe transportation of children.
Officials from the Regional Transport Department participated in the campaign alongside representatives of the District Child Protection Unit, Education Department, Police Department and Health Department.
The District Administration appealed to school managements and school vehicle operators to ensure complete compliance with all provisions of the Safe School Vehicle Policy so that children remain safe while travelling to and from school.
The administration emphasized that such special checking drives aim not only to enforce the prescribed regulations but also to create a safer transportation environment for schoolchildren and prevent any compromise with their safety.
