Latest news with #SafeSchoolVahanPolicy
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Time of India
Panchkula DC orders crackdown on unsafe school buses, traffic violations
Panchkula: In a decisive move to enhance student safety and enforce road discipline, deputy commissioner Monica Gupta of Panchkula has directed the traffic police, State Transport Authority (STA), and other departments concerned to take strict action against school buses violating the Safe School Vahan Policy. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Chairing a meeting of the District Committee at the mini secretariat on Friday, DC Gupta instructed officials to prepare a detailed report on errant school buses. She ordered immediate challaning of vehicles found without valid registration certificates, pollution control certificates, or those parked in unauthorised areas, such as outside the Sector 8 parking zone. RTA secretary Haratjeet Kaur was tasked with ensuring the installation of CCTV cameras in all school buses and initiating action against unfit and outdated vehicles. "Shut them down if necessary," the DC emphasised. To tighten enforcement, ACP traffic Surendra Singh was directed to issue maximum challans to violators involved in rash driving, overspeeding, red-light jumping, or driving under the influence of alcohol. The traffic inspector has been assigned on-ground visits to penalize illegally parked school vehicles. Addressing infrastructure concerns, DC Gupta instructed PMDA, NHAI, and PWD (B&R) to expedite pending works. PMDA was asked to repair non-functional traffic signals in Sectors 20 and 21, trim overhanging trees in MDC, and submit a compliance report within a week. HSVP was directed to fix faulty red lights, while the municipal corporation was asked to install speed tables near the Sector 1 college to facilitate safe pedestrian crossings for students. Additional deputy commissioner Nisha Yadav presented a progress update from various departments. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The DC also directed the PWD (B&R) executive engineer to install convex mirrors at accident-prone turns and instructed the district education officer to coordinate with the Red Cross to provide safety training to school bus conductors. The SDM was tasked with conducting random inspections of school buses to ensure ongoing compliance. DC Gupta reiterated the importance of strong inter-departmental coordination and strict enforcement to protect schoolchildren and ensure safer roads for all. Mohali Police conduct surprise inspections of school buses In Mohali, the traffic police conducted surprise inspections of school buses across the district on Friday to ensure compliance with safety norms. The drive was led by SP (traffic) Navneet Singh Mahal, who personally oversaw checks for essential safety equipment such as CCTV cameras, fire extinguishers, and first aid kits. "Our primary goal is to protect schoolchildren by ensuring school buses are fully compliant with traffic and safety regulations," said SP Mahal. Drivers were instructed not to exceed speed limits and reminded of their responsibilities while transporting students. DSP (traffic) Karnail Singh interacted with schoolchildren during the drive, advising them to report any reckless driving, such as overspeeding or driving on the wrong side, to their school principals or senior teachers. He stressed that timely reporting could help prevent potential accidents. The DSP also issued advisories to school bus drivers, emphasizing the importance of wearing uniforms, conducting regular vehicle checks, and ensuring the presence of a conductor or assistant on board. Drivers were urged to undergo proper training for managing and transporting young children responsibly. "Every school bus must be equipped with a first aid box and fire extinguishing equipment as mandated by safety norms," DSP Singh added. The police assured that such inspection drives will continue to ensure full compliance and foster a culture of road safety among school transport operators in Mohali.
Time of India
25-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
RTO Mohali issues over 33,000 challans, collects Rs 11 crore in 18 months
1 2 3 Mohali: The regional transport officer (RTO), Mohali, has issued more than 33,000 challans and collected a total of Rs 11.09 crore in penalties over the past 18 months, in a joint enforcement drive with the Mohali traffic police. The action is part of a continued crackdown on traffic violations, including a special focus on school buses under the Safe School Vahan Policy. According to RTO Rajpal Singh Sekhon, 1,140 school buses were penalised during this period, an average of about two buses per day, for a range of violations including the absence of CCTV cameras, speed governors, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, valid permits, pollution certificates, fitness documents, GPS systems, drinking water, and proper uniforms for drivers and staff. Sekhon emphasised that ensuring the safety of school children is of utmost importance. "Under the Safe School Vahan Policy, each school is expected to form a transport safety committee to monitor buses operating on different routes. Key safety features such as CCTV cameras, attendants handing over children to parents, and driver uniforms are non-negotiable," he said. You Can Also Check: Chandigarh AQI | Weather in Chandigarh | Bank Holidays in Chandigarh | Public Holidays in Chandigarh According to official data in 2024, 28,661 challans were issued, generating Rs 8,78,10,603, including 1,274 challans issued by the RTO alone. In 2025 so far, 4,685 challans have been issued, with a revenue collection of Rs 2,31,19,600, including 386 challans from the RTO office. The combined 18-month tally stands at 33,346 challans and Rs 11,09,30,203 in fines collected. RTO Sekhon also revealed that during surprise inspections of school buses, several institutions were found violating safety norms, which led to the issuance of numerous challans. He warned that such inspections will continue, and strict action will be taken against schools that fail to comply with transport safety regulations. The department aims to ensure greater adherence to traffic norms and promote safer road practices, especially for school-going children.
Hindustan Times
17-06-2025
- Hindustan Times
Mohali: Do away with black spots, DC tells officials
Deputy commissioner Komal Mittal on Sunday directed the officials concerned to take immediate and concrete measures to eliminate accident-prone black spots across the district to prevent road mishaps and ensure smooth traffic flow. Chairing a meeting of the District Road Safety Committee, she instructed officials of the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA), municipal corporation and local councils besides PWD and NHAI to prioritise doing away with the black spots and submit action-taken reports before the next meeting. Calling for stringent action against traffic violators, the deputy commissioner (DC) directed the police, the regional transport officer (RTO) and the district child protection officer to conduct regular checks. Special focus was laid on ensuring that school buses strictly comply with the Safe School Vahan Policy. RTO Rajpal Singh Sekhon informed the committee that during April and May, 1,352 challans, amounting to ₹59.87 lakh, were issued. Mittal further emphasised timely uploading of accident details on the E-DAR (Electronic Detailed Accident Report) portal that facilitates faster compensation disbursal through centralised accident reporting, geotagging and data sharing. The police and the hospitals were asked to update the portal promptly to help the Union ministry of road transport and highways effectively identify and address high-risk zones. Appealing to residents to assist road accident victims without the fear of legalities, the DC reiterated that Good Samaritans are legally protected and eligible for rewards and recognition. The sub-divisional magistrates (SDMs) were directed to expedite pending compensation claims related to hit-and-run cases. As per the scheme, victims' families are entitled to ₹2 lakh in case of a fatality and ₹50,000 for grievous injuries.
Hindustan Times
08-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
5 school students killed in Samana crash
Five school children and a driver were killed when the vehicle they were travelling in collided with a tipper at Samana in Patiala district on Wednesday, police said. The severely damaged private school children's car after a road accident with a truck, at Samana road, in Patiala on Wednesday. (ANI) The incident occurred on the Samana-Patiala road when the vehicle (Toyota Innova) was ferrying the students back from school. Patiala superintendent of police Palwinder Singh Cheema, who rushed to the accident spot, said 13 children of the local Bhupindra International School were returning from school when the accident occurred. Three of the injured students are hospitalised in a critical condition. The impact of the accident was such that a JCB machine had to be requisitioned to retrieve the bodies. The driver of the truck is absconding, he said, adding he would be arrested soon. The deceased students have been identified as Parv Sachdeva (12), Dhivanshi (11), Aradhya (10), Vargyan (8), and Sehaj Bansal (12). Expressing grief over the accident, chief minister Bhagwant Mann posted on X: 'My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. I also wish a speedy recovery to those injured.' Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh, who reached Government Rajindra Hospital to see the injured students, said, 'It is a very unfortunate incident. I have been told that the truck was speeding and hit the Innova while it was overtaking another vehicle.' As per the district administration, the Innova was a privately owned vehicle, hired by the parents to ferry the students. The seven-seater SUV had 14 occupants, including the driver. This incident has, once again points at poor implementation of the Safe School Vahan Policy that mandates safe transportation of schoolchildren. Under the scheme, the school authorities are responsible for the safe transportation of students. However, many schools have been turning the blind eye towards the guidelines issued by the district authorities, said officials. Patiala deputy commissioner said a review meeting is held every 15 days to ensure proper implementation of the policy and violators are challaned. 'An emergency meeting has been called after the incident,' said the DC.
