Chandigarh DM issues advisory to schools for in-campus pick-up and drop-off
District Magistrate-cum-Chairman of the District Road Safety Committee, UT, Nishant Kumar Yadav, has issued an advisory to all educational institutions in Chandigarh regarding the provision of pick-up and drop-off facilities within school premises and the promotion of car-pooling among students and parents. The advisory prioritizes the safety of school-going children.
Peak hour traffic congestion and safety risks
The advisory notes that during peak hours, boarding and alighting of students on public roads outside school premises leads to traffic congestion, obstruction to vehicular movement, and poses a serious safety risk to children. Referring to the Chandigarh Building Rules, 2017, the Committee observed that every educational institution is required to earmark a designated area for parking. However, in several institutions, these parking areas are reportedly being used for other purposes such as sports courts, swimming pools, office space, and similar facilities, resulting in students being picked up and dropped off on public roads.
Key recommendations for schools
To enhance student safety and decongest roads around schools, all educational institutions have been advised to:
- Restore and maintain the parking area earmarked under the Chandigarh Building Rules, 2017 for its intended purpose and not divert it to any other use.
- Ensure that the entire pick-up and drop-off of students takes place within the school premises by utilizing the designated parking area, thereby preventing boarding and alighting on public roads.
- Regulate the entry and exit of vehicles and, wherever required, stagger timings to facilitate smooth vehicular movement within the campus.
Promotion of car-pooling
To further reduce congestion inside school premises and limit the number of vehicles arriving at school gates, institutions have been advised to actively promote car-pooling among students and parents. The advisory highlights the following benefits of car-pooling:
- Improved safety by reducing the number of vehicles within and around school premises.
- Environmental benefits through lower fuel consumption, reduced vehicular emissions, and a smaller carbon footprint.
- Reduced traffic congestion at school gates and on adjoining roads during peak hours.
- Greater convenience and lower commuting costs for parents.
Implementation and compliance
For effective implementation, institutions have been advised to identify students residing in the same neighborhood, facilitate the formation of car-pooling groups, and sensitize parents through circulars and Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs). The District Road Safety Committee has sought the cooperation of all educational institutions in implementing the advisory in the interest of student safety. Schools have been directed to ensure compliance at the earliest and submit an Action Taken Report to the Committee.
