Mangaluru Traffic Police Crack Down on Overloading, Ignore Unpermitted Vehicles
In a stark revelation from official data, the Mangaluru traffic police have booked a total of 386 cases against vehicles cramming schoolchildren beyond capacity during 2025 and the first quarter of 2026. However, not a single challan has been issued for white-board vehicles operating without permits, highlighting a critical gap in enforcement as schools prepare to reopen soon.
Fines and Violations Detailed
In 2025 alone, authorities nailed 223 school buses and vans for overloading, imposing fines totaling Rs 44,600. Additionally, 107 autorickshaws faced penalties amounting to Rs 21,700. From January to March 31, 2026, the crackdown continued with 42 bus and van cases resulting in Rs 8,400 in fines, and 14 autorickshaws paying Rs 2,800 for similar violations.
Official Stance and Stakeholder Concerns
DCP (Traffic) K Ravi Shankar clarified, "We have not booked anyone without a permit or for white-board vehicles. Post-reopening, special drives will target all violations rigorously." Despite this assurance, the Dakshina Kannada School Vehicle Drivers' Association has long flagged this enforcement gap. They emphasize that white-board vehicles—uninsured private shuttles—continue to run unchecked in the city, despite mandates requiring yellow-board compliance for safety.
Legacy of the Trasi Tragedy
Ten years after the horrific 2016 Trasi accident in Udupi, where a white-board vehicle crash claimed the lives of eight schoolchildren, little has changed. Association honorary president Sunil Kumar Bajal stated, "The tragedy sparked nationwide outrage and led to rules mandating yellow-board vehicles. To ensure safety, we spend Rs 40,000 annually, including Rs 14,000 for panic buttons and Rs 4,000 for renewals of yellow-board vehicles."
Call for Fair Enforcement
Secretary Lokesh Surathkal added, "We follow Supreme Court guidelines—1.5 times capacity for kids under 12, and one per seat for children above 12 years—but get fined, while part-timers (white-board vehicles) evade action. We've petitioned for years, however violators just pay token fines." The district education department echoed these concerns in a March 23 letter by deputy director GS Shashidhar, directing officials to crack down on illegal transport and report action taken.
