After twin mishaps involving schoolchildren recently, the Transport Department has been asked to tighten its checks on vehicles carrying schoolchildren and to impose curbs on vehicles meant for carrying goods from transporting schoolchildren in rural areas.
Taking serious note of the two incidents, the district administration has asked the regional transport authorities to crack down on vehicles violating rules.
A multi-utility vehicle, which was carrying schoolchildren from one village to another, allegedly flouting rules under the Motor Vehicles Act, met with an accident, causing injuries to several children. The vehicle was allegedly carrying children to double its capacity. It overturned and fell into a roadside trench near Nanjangud. While some children were treated at the Nanjangud government hospital, a few others had to be admitted to K.R. Hospital here for treatment. A few children suffered fractures in the accident.
District in-charge Minister V. Sreenivas Prasad, who represents Nanjangud, had visited the hospitals to meet the children.
In another incident, 50 children and four teachers of a private school had a miraculous escape when the school bus in which they were travelling caught fire. The children escaped unhurt as the driver and his assistant rescued them before the inferno engulfed the bus.
The incidents have come as a wake-up call for the authorities.
Legal action
Deputy Commissioner C. Shikha said she has asked officials from the departments concerned to act tough against those who are running unsafe transport for schoolchildren, particularly in rural areas.
“Take legal action against owners and drivers of vehicles for unauthorised transportation of schoolchildren in vehicles meant for goods,” she said.
She has even asked the police and the transport officials to seize such vehicles on the spot and initiate legal proceedings against their owners.
Recent accidents involving schoolchildren have come as a wake-up call for authorities
