In Malerkotla, school transport vehicles are inspected

In the event that administrators or organizers of different educational institutions fail to ensure the safety of their pupils, they risk facing legal action.

Sub-division magistrates were already advised to regularly inspect vehicles used by educational institutions to transport their students, according to the authorities, despite the fact that the initiative appeared to have been taken in the wake of the Mahendragarh school bus tragedy that claimed the lives of six students.

“We launched a special drive to sensitize and caution educational institute organizers about the causes and consequences of ignoring standard guidelines, which are drafted by experts after extensive research,” Deputy Commissioner Pallavi said.

“Though we have been keeping a close watch on the functioning of educational institutes, with a special focus on the safety of students during transportation,” Deputy Commissioner Pallavi continued. Staff members, under the direction of Regional Transport Officer Harbans Singh, had carried out apprehensive checks of vehicles belonging to various educational institutes that transport students.

The DC asserted that since educational institutions in the Malerkotla district were also delivering their cars to areas under the jurisdiction of Ludhiana, Sangrur, and Barnala districts, the campaign, which was started in collaboration with the Department of Education, would also benefit locals and students in neighboring districts.

According to Regional Transport Officer Harbans Singh, at least eight vehicles from different schools were reported for certain inconsistencies. In addition, other commercial vehicles, such as trucks and trailers, were also prosecuted for breaking traffic laws, endangering the safety of students riding in school-owned vehicles.

Records from a number of educational institutions were examined, and it was discovered that the administration also intended to meet with leaders of companies that provide student transportation services in order to more effectively raise awareness of the issue among educational institute organizers.