Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Tuesday expressed concern over the safety of schoolchildren who take services of private transport operators and said the Government will work towards ensuring a safer mode of transport for them. The Deputy CM was reacting to an incident involving an RTV that overturned near Kahsmere Gate on Tuesday morning leaving 12 students injured.
Sisodia, who holds education portfolio, said the kids are in “danger zone” during his visit to Victoria Girls’ Senior Secondary School after some of its students were injured in a road accident on Tuesday while travelling to school. At least 12 children of Victoria Girls’ and Rukmini Devi Senior Secondary School were seriously injured while others suffered minor injuries after a school bus overturned in Kashmere Gate area of North Delhi.
Sisodia, who interacted with the school authorities, RTV drivers, students and parents, said due to non-availability of adequate transport in school, parents are forced to use private vehicles such as RTVs to send their children to school.
“Private transport operators offer their services to many schools and they often resort to overloading. It is important to set security parameters and accountability for them,” he said.
Sisodia said that the Education department will interact with Transport department officials, private transport operators, schools and parents to prepare an outline for safer transport for schoolchildren.