The Transport department has written to the Education department asking it to prepare itself for the implementation of the new set of guidelines aimed at ensuring safety of schoolchildren during their travel. The new guidelines framed by the State government will come into force from May 1.

Transport department Joint Commissioner (Enforcement) Maruthi Sambrani said that to make sure that the guidelines are put in place from May 1, they have recently written to the Education department to direct the officials concerned to work in this direction.

As part of the guidelines, each school, where transport facility is provided to students, should form a school safety committee with the principal, teachers, parents and school van owner as its members. The committee should ensure that all the guidelines are followed strictly, he added.

Another official from the Transport department said the department has directed all the regional transport offices (RTOs) in the State to create awareness about the new guidelines among schools and vehicle owners in their jurisdiction.

RTO officials would soon hold meetings with schools in thier jurisdiction to monitor the implementation of guidelines, he added.

Asked about the action that would be initiated against schools or vehicle owners who fail to fall in line, Sambrani said punishment was not the immediate priority. “We want schools, vehicle owners and other stakeholders to follow these guidelines as a collective responsibility. Depending on the response, we will work on the further course of action,” he added.

New norms

* The vehicle should not be more than 15 years old.
* It should be fitted with approved speed governors, with a maximum speed of
40 km per hour.
* Vehicle should have
contract carriage permit.
*School cab should be painted in highway yellow with a horizontal strip in green of 150 mm wide in the middle all round the vehicle.
*The words “School Cab” shall be prominently displayed on all four sides of the vehicle.
*The driver must have a valid licence to drive transport vehicles for a period of at least four years.