Now Reading: Nine overaged school vehicles seized in Prayagraj safety drive
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Nine overaged school vehicles seized in Prayagraj safety drive
Prayagraj's Transport Department has seized nine school vehicles older than 15 years in a week-long 'Mission Safe Future Campaign' that runs until September 19. The drive targets vehicles operating beyond the Supreme…
Prayagraj's Transport Department has seized nine school vehicles older than 15 years in a week-long 'Mission Safe Future Campaign' that runs until September 19. The drive targets vehicles operating beyond the Supreme Court-mandated age limit for student transport. Authorities warned action will be taken against both vehicle owners and school management using such buses.
Assistant Regional Transport Officer (Enforcement) SP Singh said 1,966 vehicles are registered for student transport in the district, of which 1,288 serve classes I to XII. Around 90 per cent of school buses now have CCTV cameras and GPS systems installed, each unit costing roughly Rs 5,000. Buses completing 15 years must be withdrawn from school use, those completing 20 years must be scrapped entirely. Vehicles without valid documents, including registration, insurance and fitness certificates, will also be seized.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The 15-year rule for school vehicles comes from the Supreme Court's 2015 order in the Maa Narmada case, which mandated that all school buses must be less than 15 years old and meet 34 safety standards. Prayagraj district has nearly 2,000 registered school vehicles, meaning over 700 could still be operating beyond the age limit. With only nine vehicles seized so far in this week-long drive, enforcement remains early-stage. The real pressure is on school management: if an overaged vehicle causes an accident, the school faces both criminal liability under juvenile justice law and potential loss of recognition under the Right to Education Act. The Transport Commissioner's next compliance report, due after September 19, will show how many schools actually replace their fleets.
Source: hindustantimes.com
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