Patiala 22 July:- In continuation of the ongoing enforcement drive under the Safe School Vaahan Policy, a joint inspection of school vehicles was conducted today by Dr. Poonam Preet Kaur, Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Patiala along with Sh. Puneet Singh Chahal, DSP (Traffic), Sh. Manjot Singh, ATO Patiala, Smt. Roopwant Kaur, Child Protection Officer (CPO), and Dr.Ravinder Pal Singh, Deputy District Education Officer (Deputy DEO).
During the enforcement drive, school buses, vans, auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws transporting school children were inspected to ensure compliance with the provisions of the Safe School Vaahan Policy and the Motor Vehicles Act. Vehicles found violating safety norms were challaned on the spot, and action was taken strictly in accordance with the law. A total of 15 challans for school vehicles were issued amounting to Rs. 214500/-. 8 vehicles including one tipper were also challaned during enforcement drive, amounting to 1,46,000.
Dr. Poonam Preet Kaur stated that the enforcement teams ensured that the checking process was conducted efficiently. Challans were issued swiftly through electronic means, and school vehicles were not stopped for an unnecessarily long duration, thereby minimizing inconvenience to students and ensuring smooth movement of traffic. 
During the drive, an school bus and an e-rickshaw found carrying school children in violation of safety norms were challaned and impounded. Keeping the welfare of the children as the top priority, the students were safely dropped to their respective destinations by Child Protection Officer.
The team also interacted with parents and guardians present during the checking drive and appealed to them to send their children only in authorized, safe and compliant school vehicles. Parents were made aware that choosing unsafe or unauthorized vehicles exposes children to serious risks and compromises their safety.
The officers reiterated that such enforcement drives will continue regularly across the district to ensure strict compliance with the Safe School Vaahan Policy and to provide a safe and secure transportation environment for school children. Citizens, school managements and transport operators were urged to cooperate with the enforcement agencies in the larger interest of children's road safety.