Regional transport authorities here have cracked the whip on private vehicles ferrying schoolchildren.
According to authorities, 27 autorickshaws have been detained this week for ferrying students in an unsafe manner.
“The autorickshaws which have been detained had modified the seats to accommodate more children. The children were seated on either side of the drivers as well,” said J.K. Baskaran, Regional Transport Officer of Madurai Central.
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From Monday to Friday, the authorities, headed by the Regional Transport Officers of Madurai North, South and Central, conducted surprise inspections near Nirmala Girls Higher Secondary School, OCPM Higher Secondary School, Sairam Matriculation Higher Secondary School, St. John’s Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Velammal Matriculation Higher Secondary School and Mahatma School at Surveyor Colony.
“Besides detaining the autorickshaws that were overloaded with children, we have also collected Rs.42,700 tax from tourist taxis and maxi cabs that were violating safety norms. Fine amounting to Rs.31,000 was collected from some vehicles that did not have necessary documents,” Mr. Baskaran added.
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This apart, at least four vehicles that transported children in an unauthorised manner without required permit had also been detained, officials said.
Stress on safety“We have instructed tourist taxis and maxi cabs to indicate in the front and the rear of the vehicles that they are on school duty when they transport children. Parents should give more importance to safety aspects. Not more than five children should be ferried in each auto,” Mr. Baskaran said.
The officials also said the inspections were conducted based on the instructions issued by the Collector and that it would continue in the coming days.
The school buses were earlier checked as per the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles (Regulation and Control of School Buses) Special Rules, 2012.