A major safety crackdown on vehicles ferrying school children in Jaipur on Monday morning uncovered widespread violations of mandatory safety norms. In a surprise joint operation, teams comprising mobile magistrates, Regional Transport Office (RTO) officials, and traffic police personnel found that a vast majority of school buses, vans, and auto-rickshaws were operating without complying with essential safety regulations.
Widespread Safety Failures Exposed
The inspection drive, which commenced at 7 am and lasted for over two hours, was conducted under the direction of the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority (RALSA). Teams were deployed at key locations across the Pink City, including New Sanganer Road, Mansarovar, and Bani Park. The operation was led by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) secretaries judge Deependra Mathur (DLSA-I) and judge Pallavi Sharma (DLSA-II).
Officials checked vehicles against a checklist of 21 safety parameters. The findings were alarming, with most vehicles failing to meet the full set of mandatory standards. Critical safety equipment was conspicuously absent. Only one or two vehicles were found carrying a first-aid kit, and not a single vehicle had a functional GPS tracking system installed. Furthermore, provisions for emergency exits were missing in the majority of the inspected transports.
Multiple Violations Lead to Challans and Seizures
The lapses were not limited to equipment. A significant number of vehicles were operating without the mandated support staff or helper, whose role is crucial in assisting children while boarding and alighting. Many drivers were caught without proper uniforms and, in some cases, even without their driving licences. The vehicles themselves often lacked mandatory documents.
Another common violation was the absence of the distinctive yellow identification stripes that are required by law for all school transport. The team issued on-the-spot fines, or challans, with a particular focus on vehicles outside Modern Public School in Mansarovar.
The drive led to immediate punitive action. In Bani Park, a van belonging to Children's Academy was seized as it had completed its 15-year legal service limit and was no longer permitted to operate. Another van affiliated with Maheshwari Public School was also impounded for carrying children beyond its approved seating capacity, a serious safety hazard.
Stricter Monitoring and Future Drives Promised
Officials from the DLSA stated that a detailed inspection report will be submitted to the higher authority, RALSA. As per directives issued, district authorities are now mandated to inspect school vehicles at least three times every year. They must submit annual reports by specific deadlines: April 10, August 10, and December 10. Additionally, monthly inspection reports are required to be sent by the 15th of each month.
Authorities have emphasized that this is not a one-off event. More such surprise drives are planned in the coming months to reinforce the importance of child safety and ensure strict compliance with all transportation regulations. The message is clear: negligence in the safety of school children will not be tolerated.
