Despite SC guidelines, overloaded school buses pose serious threat

The safety of schoolchildren remains at risk as overloaded school buses and vans continue to operate on roads daily, despite Supreme Court guidelines banning overloading. Following a tragic bus mishap in Nurpur a few years ago that claimed the lives of 27 schoolchildren, the state government issued comprehensive safety measures for school transportation. However, enforcement has been lax, and many schools have yet to comply with these directives.

The government capped the age of school bus drivers at 60 years and mandated a minimum of five years of driving experience. Additionally, schools were directed to appoint transport officers, conduct regular health checks for drivers and maintain detailed medical records. The buses were to be equipped with GPS systems, CCTV cameras and operate at a maximum speed of 40 km/hour. Despite these measures, many schools, particularly in Kangra district, continue to use unregulated taxis and minibuses of varying colours, flouting both government and Supreme Court orders.

After the Nurpur tragedy, a high-level committee led by the Chief Secretary was formed, and district-level committees were tasked with conducting quarterly inspections of school buses. However, these inspections have been sporadic, and compliance with safety measures remains inconsistent.

An investigation revealed that few schools have adhered to these guidelines. Most schools fail to keep records of their bus drivers, and some continue to hire drivers who do not meet the mandated criteria. Moreover, the lack of a uniform bus colour scheme further complicates monitoring efforts.

Senior state officials claim that adequate measures are in place, and authorities like SDMs and the police have been instructed to conduct regular checks on school transportation and penalize violators. Yet, these efforts appear insufficient, as violations persist unabated. Officials have also urged parents not to compromise their children’s safety by choosing overloaded vans to save money.

The ongoing disregard for safety regulations underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement and accountability among school managements. Without these, the safety of schoolchildren will remain precarious, and tragedies like the Nurpur incident could recur.