West Bengal Bans School Vehicles Older Than 15 Years
The West Bengal government has issued a strict directive prohibiting the use of vehicles older than 15 years for student transportation. State Transport Minister Arjun Singh announced that any vehicle lacking a valid fitness certificate or essential legal documents will no longer be permitted to transport students to and from schools. This safety measure applies to all school-managed buses as well as private vehicles and operators hired by educational institutions.
New Safety Guidelines for School Transport
During a visit to the Darjeeling Circuit House, the Transport Minister emphasized that student safety is the top priority for the state government. He stated that school administrations must maintain strict monitoring of all vehicles used for student transit. The government has already instructed all District Magistrates across the state to take necessary action to ensure these vehicles meet required safety standards. Regular fitness checks for all school buses have been made mandatory to prevent accidents.
Focus on Preventing Road Accidents
This decision follows a tragic incident on November 24 last year in Uluberia, Howrah, where a school pool car lost control and fell into a pond, resulting in the death of three students. That accident raised serious concerns regarding the safety and maintenance of vehicles used for school transport. The current directive aims to address these safety risks by removing old and unfit vehicles from the roads completely.
Responsibility of School Management
School authorities are now responsible for verifying the documentation of every vehicle used for student transportation, including those operated by third-party private agencies. The Transport Minister clarified that no vehicle will be allowed on the road if it does not possess a valid fitness certificate. Schools must ensure that private operators comply with these rules to avoid any legal action. The government remains committed to enforcing these strict regulations to protect students during their daily commute.