Overloaded school vans to be penalised
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 07 2025: The Department of Education (S) is set to launch an outreach program from tomorrow to monitor vehicles transporting students of both Government and private schools in order to tackle the issue of vehicles carrying beyond their prescribed capacity, Ngangom Bhogendra, Director, Education (S) has informed.

It may be noted that the Manipur Transport Department has set clear guidelines, stipulating that school vehicles may not carry more than 1.5 times their registered seating ca-pacity.

The outreach program will initially check the vehicles ferrying students in the valley districts of the State in collaboration with the Zonal Education Officer (ZEO), Manipur police and representatives of other related departments.

Speaking to media persons at RMSA office, Babupara, Ngangom Bhogendra said that the objective of the outreach program is to ensure the safety of students.

He said that many vehicles ferrying students, including vans, are overloaded.

The overcrowding causes students to face issues such as breathing difficulties and increases the chances of road accidents.

Saying that the outreach program will tackle such issues, he also highlighted the risks of minor students, without driver's license, going to school on two-wheelers with 2/3 other friends.

According to official rules, the commercial vehicles transporting students should follow a colour code, have insurance and be registered with the transport authority.

However, immediate actions cannot be taken against these transport operators for flouting such rules, said the Education (S) Director.

Clarifying that the outreach program is not a raid against the commercial vehicle operators, he said that the initiative is focused on ensuring the well-being of students.

He has sought the support of the public in this effort.

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