Bareilly: The transport department, along with the help of traffic police, will conduct inspection of school buses, vans and auto-rickshaws ferrying children as well as verify credentials and track records of drivers and conductors.According to officials at the regional transport office, the drive is being launched following the directions of principal secretary, transport department, Aradhana Shukla to ensure safety of schoolchildren travelling in school buses, vans and auto-rickshaws.Speaking with TOI, regional transport officer (RTO) R R Soni said, “The inspection of school vehicles and drivers will be carried out in two categories. We will be inspecting school vehicles for traffic norms under the Indian Motor Vehicles Act. Under which, the fitness certificate, vehicle permit and driving licence of the drivers will be checked. Secondly, past records of drivers, conductors and helpers will also be verified.”“The schools have recently been told to appoint a nodal school staff in their buses which ferry students. We will coordinate with the nodal staff randomly to inquire about school vehicle and staff. This way, bus staff will remain alert as their activities will be noticed, and student’s safety will also be ensured,” added Soni.According to RTO records, there are a total of 451 school buses and 250 small vehicles in the city. Besides, there are many vehicles having individual or contract-carriage permits; the record of such vehicles is not maintained by RTO.ARTO RP Singh said, “During the drive, drivers of auto-rickshaw, school vans, and buses will be verified. Also, private vehicles ferrying school students will also be checked. A schedule is being prepared to launch the drive”.Earlier this month, SP (traffic) had ordered the department to launch a drive in the city, during which a private school’s bus driver, who was ferrying 24 students, had been caught drunk on wheels.

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