Sambalpur: Are Sambalpur’s School Children Safe? Overloaded Buses and Autos Raise Concerns
Sambalpur: Concerns have been raised in Sambalpur district about the safety of schoolchildren riding in buses and vans. Many buses, autos, and vans operate without proper permits. Furthermore, a large number of vans are carrying more students than their capacity, resulting in overcrowded vehicles. This situation arose as a result of the regional transportation department’s failure to conduct regular inspections, allowing drivers to operate vehicles loaded with students like “bags in a truck.”
Irregular Inspections and Temporary Actions
The transport department only takes action when media reports highlight the issue. When such news surfaces, the department conducts inspections for a day or two, only to stop afterward, returning to a state of negligence. Regular and thorough inspections are needed, but they rarely occur.
Fitness Certificates and Permits
According to regulations, every school bus must have a permit, a fitness certificate, pollution checks, and timely payment of taxes. Fitness certificates are issued for two years, whereas permits are valid for five years. Pollution inspections must be performed annually, and for older vehicles, every six months. Taxes are due before March of each year. However, in practice, fitness certificates and permit checks for school buses are not consistently monitored, putting students in danger.
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Overloaded Vans and Lax Enforcement
In 2019-20, the then-RTO (Regional Transport Office) issued guidelines stating that autos should carry no more than six students and vans no more than ten. Despite these regulations, many cars now carry around ten students, while vans frequently carry up to twenty. This overcrowding has become a norm due to a lack of enforcement.
Inaction from Authorities
Overloading and a lack of driver scrutiny are common problems. Regular inspections of school bus documents are not carried out. There is a request for monthly meetings with vehicle owners at the SP office to ensure compliance. Sudhir Pujari, a social worker, suggests that police and the transportation department conduct regular inspections to increase driver vigilance.
Response from Authorities
When asked about these issues, Regional Transport Officer Ramdas Tudang stated that periodic checks are carried out and appropriate action is taken. He stated that any complaint brought to their attention would be thoroughly investigated.
In conclusion, the safety of students traveling on school buses and vans remains uncertain due to irregular inspections, overloading, and a lack of proper permits. Regular and strict enforcement is critical for ensuring the safety of young passengers.
