Punjab Government on Monday virtually placed the parents in the driver’s seat for checking violations by school buses, while launching a state-wide drive against those steering clear of the law. Out of 4,504 school buses or vans checked during the drive on Monday morning, 149 were challaned while 253 were impounded.
Alarmed over the tragic incident where four school children were charred to death after a van ferrying them caught fire in Sangrur on Saturday, the State Government has launched a drive across the state to check the condition, safety measures, and roadworthiness of the school buses and vans on the directions of the Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh.
Under this statewide drive, the authorities were checking overloading, the fitness of vehicles, fire extinguishers in buses, first-aid box, among other things. Authorities were also checking private vehicles like three-wheelers, arranged by parents on their own, for sending children to schools.
“Taking cognizance of Longowal school van fire tragedy, the State Transport Department on the directives of Chief Minister on Monday checked 4504 vehicles, of which 1649 were challaned besides impounding 253 vehicles for not complying with the requisite parameters of the Motor Vehicle Act,” said an official spokesperson.
The spokesperson said that the drive would continue further to ensure that all such vehicles must adhere to the stipulated norms for the security and safety of the school children.
The Chief Minister, in a tweet, assured that the Administration will keep a strong vigil with respect to school buses and vans.
At the same time, he urged everyone, especially the parents, to check the vans or buses themselves as well and immediately report the same to the Police and District Administration in case of any violation.
“The Administration will keep a strong vigil with respect to school buses and vans but I would also urge everyone to check the vans or buses themselves as well and in case of any violation immediately report the same to the Police and District Administration,” tweeted the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister added that the Deputy Commissioners are closely monitoring the drive.
“The safety of our children is paramount and we will take all necessary steps in this regard,” said the Chief Minister.
Four children were charred to death when a ramshackle van of a private school ferrying students back home caught fire in Sangrur district.
In the accident that took place on Longowal-Sidsaachar road in Sangrur, eight children were rescued from the burning van by people working in nearby fields.
The Chief Minister had ordered a magisterial probe into the incident while ordering the State Transport Department to launch a statewide drive to check road worthiness and fitness of all school buses.