Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: Today, the J&K Government announced an extension of the deadline for the required installation of CCTV cameras in school buses until March 31. The previous deadline of January 31 was postponed in response to a request from the President of the Forum of Unaided Recognized Institutions (FOURI).
In an order issued today, Transport Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan confirmed that this extension allows schools additional time to adhere to the Supreme Court’s safety guidelines. The objective is to ensure comprehensive monitoring of all activities involving drivers and attendant staff, thereby enhancing student safety during transit.
This decision was made following a meeting between the Transport Commissioner and school representatives, where they discussed the safety audit of vehicles used for student transportation. The Government stressed that all safety measures mandated by the Supreme Court are being implemented to protect children.
Additionally, school authorities have been reminded to ensure that buses are fitted with operational speed governors, limiting speeds to 40 km/h as per regulations. Authorities have warned that any vehicles found violating safety standards, such as overloading or speeding, will be seized immediately.
Schools are also being encouraged to conduct counseling sessions with parents to raise awareness about the dangers of underage driving. The Transport Commissioner highlighted that while most schools operate their own bus fleets, private vehicles used by parents must also meet the mandatory safety standards.
To ensure compliance, the government requires all school buses, including those hired from private operators, to incorporate vital safety features such as emergency exit doors, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, GPS trackers, seat belts, CCTV cameras, and fire detection alarm systems.
This deadline extension aims to give schools sufficient time to fulfill these requirements, further enhancing the safety of students during their daily commutes.
