In a concerted effort to bolster the safety measures surrounding school transportation, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) of Jammu, under the directive of Secretary Transport Jammu & Kashmir, Niraj Kumar, undertook a surprise safety audit of school buses at K.C Public School.
Click Here to Join Whatsapp Group
Led by Regional Transport Officer Jammu, Pankaj Bhagotra, a specialized team comprising Assistant Regional Transport Officer HQ Rehana Tabassam, Motor Vehicle Inspectors Vikas Srivats, Surinder Kumar, Jagandeep Singh, and Motor Vehicle Traffic Advisor Taranjot Singh conducted a meticulous inspection of over 35 school vehicles within the premises of K.C Public School. The audit encompassed a thorough examination of each bus, focusing on compliance with safety regulations such as the presence of seat belts, accessibility to emergency exits, provision of first aid kits, and general vehicle maintenance. Additionally, more than 10 vehicles underwent scrutiny on the road and at the trial ground in Nagrota.
During the inspection, the team identified several deficiencies pertaining to vehicle fitness, documentation, and adherence to mandatory safety standards for transporting school children. These concerns were promptly communicated to the school authorities, who were instructed to rectify the identified shortcomings without delay. A deadline of 10 days was set for the submission of a compliance report by the school administration.
The decision to conduct this safety audit comes amid growing apprehensions regarding the safety of school buses in the region, prompting proactive measures from the RTO to mitigate potential risks. Prior to this initiative, the RTO Jammu had issued a circular outlining guidelines for ensuring the safety of school children during transportation, emphasizing strict adherence to the prescribed directives. The surprise inspection aimed to assess the extent of compliance with these guidelines by school authorities.
Similar safety drives have been carried out by Assistant Regional Transport Officers across various districts of the Jammu Division, underscoring the department’s commitment to safeguarding the well-being of school children throughout the province.
The Transport Department has urged all school authorities to diligently implement the prescribed safety measures to safeguard the interests of school children. Any deviation from these regulations or negligence on the part of school authorities will be met with stringent action, potentially including the seizure of school buses.
As the safety of school transportation remains a paramount concern, such initiatives underscore the collaborative efforts between regulatory authorities and educational institutions to ensure the utmost safety of school children during their daily commute.
