PIONEER EDGENEWS SERVICE/ Haldwani
As per the instructions of the regional transport officer, Haldwani, a special enforcement drive was conducted for vehicles transporting school students across Udham Singh Nagar district. The objective of the drive was to
ensure safe movement of school children and effective compliance of Motor Vehicles Act and standards related to safe school vehicle operation, the officials said. The teams deployed focused themselves on school buses and school vans in Rudrapur, Kichha, Pulbhatta, Sitarganj and Khatima.
During the campaign, fitness, permits, insurance, pollution certificates, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, emergency exits, GPS, speed governors and other necessary safety standards and documents were verified. Further, a total of 70 school vehicles were challaned for violating rules, and 25 were impounded. The seized vehicles included 15 school buses and five school vans. Action was taken against 45 vehicles as per the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
The transport officials appealed to all school operators, vehicle owners and drivers to operate school vehicles only in accordance with prescribed safety standards and with valid documents. They further said that the department would continue to conduct such special enforcement campaigns regularly to ensure safety of the school children.
