GB Nagar: Transport dept finds 46 school buses violating norms during inspection

As the transport department of Gautam Budh Nagar doesn’t want to take any chances with security of the students in the just started new session, they have started inspection of school buses plying in the district.

On Saturday, the transport department carried out inspection of 503 school buses ferrying students in the district. Around 46 of school buses were found violating the norms during the inspection. The inspection was carried out at Knowledge Park II in Greater Noida.

The buses were checked based on the basis of an eleven-point list of norms derived from the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court.

Notices have been issued to operators and owners of the 46 buses who failed to comply with the guidelines. Same kind of inspection will be done again on Sunday.

Officials said that the inspection was conducted before the beginning of the academic session to avoid inconvenience to parents, children and the schools. There are more than 1500 school buses plying in the city.

“Owners of school buses who failed to follow the norms have been asked to rectify the problems within a week and get the vehicles inspected again by April 22,” said SK Singh, Assistant Road Transport Officer (Administration) of Gautam Budh Nagar.

“Vehicles which did not turn up for inspection have been given a second chance and they were asked to report by April 15,” Singh said.

The vehicles, which were found, violating norms, have been asked to rectify it within seven days and get them rechecked. If they don’t follow the instructions, the transport department with take required action against them,” Singh informed.

Here is the checklist:

1. Whether “School Bus” is clearly written on the bus or not.
2. Whether the school's name and phone number have been written on the body of the bus.
3. Whether there is a horizontal grill or net on the bus's windows.
4. Whether or not a foot board has been installed on the door for children to climb in and out.
5. Whether there are CCTV cameras installed in the bus.
6. Whether there are fire extinguishers in the bus.
7. Whether there is first aid box in the school bus.
8. Whether the speed governor or speed limiter is installed in the bus.
9. Whether emergency exit is installed.
10. Has a pressure horn been installed or not.
11. Other guidelines which include various issues like colour, cleanliness, pollution clearance, vehicle papers etc.