Fitness tests of school buses will be conducted at a new state-of-the-art automated vehicle inspection unit in Jhuljhuli here from November 8.
A source from the Transport Department said that the step is being taken to eliminate the “human angle and avenues for corruption” in such procedures.
The move comes in the wake of a Kendriya Vidyalaya school bus full of students catching fire near Dhaula Kuan last week. No one was hurt in the incident.
A senior government official said that express instructions from Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had been issued to ensure that vehicles ferrying school children be put through stringent security checks to ensure their safety.
Manual test
School buses were previously tested manually at the Burari unit of the department where there were “possibilities of lapses” which, according to the source, were now sought to be eliminated through end-to-end automation.
“At the moment, vehicles such as buses, trucks, taxis and auto-rickshaws are among the 1500-odd vehicles that are tested at the facility in Burari,” said the source, adding that besides the school buses, the fitness tests of all India tourist permit buses will also be carried out at Jhuljhuli.
“The new unit will not only ease queues at Burari but will also provide holistic checking facilities for vehicles across various categories. The project is a result of a partnership between the Delhi Transport Department and the Centre,” the source added.
The Jhuljhuli unit is equipped with an automated track and a computerised system, which will ensure proper condition of the buses as per norms, said the source.
The officials concerned have been directed to make the Jhuljhuli unit functional by the end of the week.
In addition to speed verification, brake checks, sound and pollution checks will also be performed on the vehicles, said the source, adding that for better inspection, the department uses its drivers in the tests.
Stringent checks
“The vehicles will be put though stringent checks and will be failed if they are found wanting on even the slightest safety criteria, especially school buses,” the source said. “A major concern that has been noticed when such vehicles undergo fitness checks is non-functional headlights. There will be provision to get such faulty lights replaced at the facility,” the source added.
