Hoshiarpur - Regional Transport Officer Hoshiarpur Eng Ravinder Singh Gill and Assistant Regional Transport Officer Sandeep Bharti along with their team during the checking campaign for safe transportation of school students under the Safe School Vehicle Scheme on the guidelines of Deputy Commissioner Komal Mittal. Buses carrying children were checked under the Safe School Vehicle Policy.
During this checking campaign, about 8 school buses were checked at different places. Meanwhile, 23 challans were issued under the Motor Vehicle Act of school buses that did not fulfill the conditions under the Safe School Vehicle Policy and 6 school vehicles were seized. Meanwhile, the transport incharges of the schools and the bus drivers were informed about the instructions from the Punjab government. Bus drivers and helpers on duty on buses were instructed to wear uniform and follow traffic rules. Along with this, it was strictly instructed not to drive the school bus under the influence of any kind of drugs.
During the checking campaign, it was also brought to the notice of school principals that school authorities and principals are responsible for the safe transportation of children under the Safe School Vehicle Scheme. Whether it is a vehicle hired by the parents or taken on hire/agreement by the school from a private transporter or the school has its own bus. Thus, all the school principals and management committees of Hoshiarpur district were instructed to check the means of transport of school children continuously and if any school bus is found to be violating the Safe School Vehicle Scheme, then the children should not be sent in it. An extra bus should be arranged for him.
School bus permit, insurance, pollution certificate and fitness certificate must be checked and children should not be sent in that bus if any document is expired. Attested conduct police report of the school bus driver and helper should be taken and if possible, alcohol meters should be kept in the school and the drivers should be tested from time to time. It would be a safe move to have a driver dope test every year.
During this campaign, the parents of the school children were also appealed to check the means/buses used for the transportation of their children from time to time and if any deficiency is found, immediately bring it to the attention of the district administration. to be brought in, so that safe transportation of children can be ensured. Under the Safe School Vehicle scheme, speed governors in school buses should be in working condition, many school buses have been challaned despite having speed governors installed due to tampering with the speed governor which may lead to accidents.
Undertaking certificate from all government and private schools of the district in the sub division to the District Education Officer Hoshiarpur (Secondary and Elementary) and all concerned Sub Divisional Magistrates of the district before 25th April 2024 regarding the safe transportation of school children/students by the Deputy Commissioner. The office of the Deputy Commissioner Hoshiarpur has been asked to submit the undertaking certificate in which the school principals will give a certificate that the school buses and vehicles used for the transportation of their school students are fully compliant with the Safe School Vehicle Scheme.