Student carriers asked to follow rules
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 23 2024: In an effort to ensure safety of students commuting in school vehicles, the traffic control police wing has urged school authorities and associations of students' transporters to strictly adhere to prescribed maximum student limit.

Consequent to a reminder issued by the SP (traffic) on Monday following growing concerns about overcrowding in school vehicles posing serious risks to safety and well-being of students, Bishnupur police carried out a drive in the district on Monday to enforce the guidelines.

According to an advisory issued by the transport department, under Manipur Gazette Extraordinary No.385 dated September 22, 2015, specific guidelines have been laid out regarding the maximum number of students allowed in school vehicles.

The directive emphasised that school vehicles must not exceed 1.5 times their registered seating capacity along with pointing out that overcrowding of vehicles is direct violation of the rule, increasing the likelihood of accidents and injuries, especially in the event of sudden stops or collisions.

The issue has also been taken up by the Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety (SCORS), highlighting its importance, the reminder said.

While asserting that responsibility to ensure compliance lies with schools and school vehicle associations, it further pointed out that enforcement of the same rules is essential for the safety of children.

Specifying that the guidelines mandate vehicles used by educational institutions to limit the intake capacity within 1.5 times, it cautioned that school vehicle drivers who fail to comply with the seating capacity guidelines shall face penalties.

Meanwhile, sharing Monday's drive in Bishnupur district on social media, chief minister N Biren lauded Bishnupur SP and the district police for prompt and diligent service.

He also shared concern over overloading students as such practices compromise safety of students.

The CM warned that stringent actions including cancellation of registration licence would be initiated if school vehicles continue to violate the guidelines.

"Students are human too, not rice bags," the CM wrote.

On the other-hand, similar drives were also carried out in Kakching district on Monday with SP Thokchom Vikramjit informing The People's Chronicle that the district police will strictly enforce the guidelines.

Urging transporters to adhere to the guidelines, he warned violators of legal actions.

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