The traffic police, officials from the Regional Transport Office and Education Department jointly conducted an awareness camp-cum-physical verification of documents and vehicles of those operated by various educational institutions in the city on Thursday.
School staff in-charge of the transport section were present at the camp along with over 450 buses and vans.
The officers checked the validity of the driving licence of the drivers, documents pertaining to vehicles (such as Fitness Certificate, stability of the vehicle) and basic aspects from safety point of view to be followed.
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Officials said that in many vehicles, the first-aid box (kit) was not available. Excess smoke beyond permitted levels was detected in buses and vans.
Window panes were fitted in such a manner that even when opened, the children could peep their heads out. The bus crew were given time to set the deficiencies right.
Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner of Police K. Nandabalan appealed to the educational institutions to accord top priority to the safety of children travelling in the vehicles.
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“We have the responsibility to bring up the children in a good environment as they are the future citizens of our country,” he noted.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (law and order) P. C. Thenmozhi said that the vehicles should have conductors to take care of the children while in transit and at the time of picking them up and dropping them back from schools.
Regional Transport Officer T. G. Thomas, Chief Educational Officer Rajani Rathnamala, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Magudapathi participated.