Admin’s glare on school vans, served notice to rectify shortcomings

Ranchi: The Ranchi district transport department and the city traffic police on Monday launched a drive across the city against private school vans operating in the city, who have been flouting guidelineslaid by the transport department.
Ranchi district transport officer (DTO) Akhilesh Kumar and officials from the traffic branch conducted the drives against the vans to check if the van operators have exceeded the seating exceeding seating of the vehicles and adhering to the safety norms guided by the district administration.
During the drive, the officials found out of 113 vehicles checked, around 70 % flouting the norms. In some vehicles which has a carrying capacity of around 10 students, were operating with double the size of their capacity.
DTO Kumar said that despite many warnings to the school van operators they remain adamant and continue to flout the norms. “During the drive on Monday also, many vehicles were found carrying students more than the vehicle’s capacity. The defaulters are given notice and their vehicles will be seized within a week if they fail to adhere to the guided norms,” he added.

The DTO added apart from overloading, many non-commercial vehicles are operating for the commercial purpose and action will be taken against them as well. “The school van operators must put nets on the vehicle windows, but in many vans that was absent. Apart, school vans should be yellow coloured, many were found flouting that as well,” the transport officer said.
Ranchi traffic DSP Pramod Kumar Kesari said that during the drive many school vans were found overloaded and flouting norms meant to be followed by school vans. “Notices have been served to the defaulters and action will be taken against the van operators. Due to the overloading the safety of the students are being compromised and they are vulnerable to deteriorating physical health during the summer season,” the police officer added.
He said the drive will continue until the vans follow the necessary guidelines, as the traffic department is getting numerous complaints against the van operators. The officer also appealed to the parents to stay vigil about their wards’ safety and regularly monitor the conditions of the school vans.