As dense fog continues to blanket the GT Road belt, the Panipat RTA has taken a stern stance against school managements neglecting basic safety protocols for student transport.
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The Surprise Raid: The RTA team, led by the Assistant Secretary and transport inspectors, set up multiple checkpoints at major intersections like Sukhdev Nagar and Assandh Road during the early morning school hours. Over 50 buses were screened in a span of three hours.
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Non-Compliance in Foggy Weather: The most alarming finding was that 20 buses lacked functional high-intensity fog lights and yellow reflective tapes. Given the current “Orange Alert” for fog in the region, these are mandatory for visibility on the highway.
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Medical and Safety Lapses: Besides lighting issues, several buses were found with first-aid kits that contained expired medicines or were completely empty. Some vehicles did not have the mandatory speed governors (limited to 40 km/h) or functional CCTV cameras, as required under the ‘Surakshit School Vahan’ policy.
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Action Taken: The 20 impounded buses were moved to the local police lines. The RTA has issued challans to the owners and notified the respective school principals. Heavy fines, ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000, are expected to be levied depending on the number of violations per vehicle.
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Official Warning: “We will not allow any ‘wheels of death’ on the road. Schools have a moral and legal duty to ensure their buses are winter-ready. This drive will continue throughout the week,” said a senior RTA official.
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Impact on Parents: While some parents were inconvenienced by the sudden impoundment, the majority supported the move, citing the high risk of accidents on the NH-44 during the winter months.
