Harinder Singh Khaira
Patiala, May 20
Despite instructions to ensure safe transportation for schoolchildren, schools in the district are regularly flouting the norms set by the government in this regard.
During a number of inspections conducted by the district administrative in the past, only a small number of school vans were found having proper documents and facilities enlisted in the Safe School Vahan Policy. Notably, a number of fatal accidents have been reported in the district, involving vehicles ferrying schoolchildren.
On Thursday, the district administration had organised a seminar for representatives of several schools to make them aware of the norms under the Safe School Vahan Policy. The event was organised after the orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in this regard.
Patiala Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kumar Amit directed the schools to strictly comply with the regulations and said school principals were responsible for the transportation of students.
Moreover, due to a shortage of parking space, vehicles of the schools can be seen parked haphazardly, interrupting the movement of the traffic.
“At the closing time of the schools, it is not easy to cross the road outside the schools due to the congestion and mismanagement on the past of the schools and the administration. Due to the pressure of private schools, the traffic police are also not doing much regarding wrongly-parked vehicles," said Jaswinder Singh, a commuter.
Mishap cases
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