The Bombay High Court has directed, State Transport Department to carry out a random check of school buses in South Mumbai, to verify/check if they are following standard norms of safety, laid down under the Maharashtra Motor Vehicle (Regulation of School Buses) Act. A division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice N W Sambre said “Do random checking of school buses to check if they have proper amenities and lady attendants in buses plying girls. Even if 60 percent of the suggestions mentioned in those rules if implemented, there will be a sea change in school bus conditions, in Maharashtra.” The court though warned the department officials not to create a panic like situation among schools and children during the checking before they submit the report on February 28. Justice Patil, also directed the School Education department to carry out awareness drives among schools and parents to involve their participation and reduce cases of children travelling in small vehicles. “Make them aware of the dangers which are posed to their child, if allowed to ply in over-crowded vehicles. They will on their own demand better transport facilities,” court said. The observations, were made while hearing a public interest litigation filed by NGO PTA United. The petition seeks proper implementation of rules which govern permits to operate school buses. Advocate Rama Subramaniam argued that the government is not implementing the rules properly and hence school bus incidents have increased. meeting with accidents. The court sought a data from the transport department on the number of accidents involving school buses, but the government failed to submit it. COURT ORDER

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