Prayagraj: A staggering 973 out of 1,450 registered school vehicles in the city were found flouting safety norms, raising serious concerns over the security of children commuting daily. The alarming findings emerged from a special enforcement drive conducted from April 1 to 15, following government directives.
Drive Details and Vehicle Verification
As part of the drive, approximately 600 schools in the district were asked to upload details of their vehicles on the UP Integrated School Vehicle Management Portal for verification. Of these, 485 schools submitted information related to 1,450 vehicles, of which 1,361 were verified by the Regional Transport Office (RTO).
Key Violations Discovered
During verification, 285 vehicles failed fitness tests, while 288 were operating without valid insurance. Additionally, nearly 400 vehicles lacked essential safety features such as CCTV cameras and GPS systems. Officials also identified other deficiencies, including the absence of first-aid kits, fire extinguishers, and other mandatory safety provisions.
Action Taken by Authorities
Following these findings, the RTO issued notices to school managements and vehicle owners, granting them 15 days to rectify the shortcomings. Authorities also directed enforcement teams to intensify roadside checks and take strict action against vehicles found violating norms. The move aims to ensure that children are transported in safe and compliant vehicles.
Assistant RTO Rajeev Chaturvedi stated: “Strict action will be taken against any school vehicle found operating in violation of safety standards even after the notice period. Ensuring the safety of schoolchildren remains the top priority of the administration.”
