Batala, 25 July 2025 : In accordance with the directions of Shri Dalvinderjit Singh, Deputy Commissioner of Gurdaspur, a checking drive was conducted to ensure the safety of school children and to implement the Safe School Vehicle Policy. Shri Vikramjit Singh Panthe, SDM-cum-Commissioner, Municipal Corporation Batala, inspected school vehicles of Excelsior Public School, Qadian Batala, and made the drivers aware of the policy.
Present on the occasion were Arjan Singh Grewal (Tehsildar), Neeraj Sharma (Fire Brigade Officer), police officers, and school staff.
The SDM directed school principals to conduct inspections of their school vehicles at their own level as well to prevent any untoward incidents. He warned that strict action will be taken against schools that fail to comply with the Safe School Vehicle Policy.
Under this policy, drivers were informed about key guidelines as per the Hon’ble Supreme Court, which include:
- Mandatory first aid box in the school bus
- Installation of a speed governor
- Designated space for children’s school bags
- A fire extinguisher on board
- Emergency exits marked at the front and rear
- “School Bus” written clearly on all sides
- The bus must be golden yellow in color
- Installation of CCTV cameras and 60 days of footage storage
- No overloading of students beyond the bus’s capacity
- The driver must carry a list of students with names, addresses, and classes
- Drivers must wear the prescribed uniform and display a nameplate
- The school’s name and contact number must be written on the bus
- The footstep height should not exceed 200 mm
Legal action will be taken against anyone found violating these safety norms.
Summary:
Authorities have begun inspecting school vehicles to enhance student safety, ensuring compliance with safety norms and preventing future accidents during daily student transportation.