Udupi Police Impose Stringent Measures on School Vehicles, Collect Rs. 1.58 Lakh in Fines
Udupi: In response to escalating concerns regarding the negligent operation of school vehicles, the Udupi District Police have conducted a comprehensive inspection campaign across the region. The initiative, spearheaded by Superintendent of Police (SP) Hariram Shankar, resulted in the inspection of approximately 930 vehicles, the registration of 282 cases, and the collection of fines totaling Rs. 1,58,000.
SP Hariram Shankar addressed the press at a conference held at the Udupi Deputy Superintendent of Police (DYSP) office on Thursday, outlining the details of the enforcement drive. He stated that the registered cases included one instance of driving under the influence of alcohol, 39 cases of vehicles operating without the requisite documentation, 48 instances of overloading, and 194 cases pertaining to other traffic violations. The special inspection drive saw the active involvement of 5 police inspectors, 30 sub-inspectors, and a contingent of constables.
In a firm directive, SP Shankar instructed school management committees to ensure the immediate rectification of deficiencies in school transport operations. He mandated that all school vehicles possess up-to-date documentation, strictly adhere to vehicle capacity limits concerning the number of students transported, and implement all prescribed safety measures within a week. A stern warning was issued, stipulating that non-compliance with these directives would result in the immediate seizure of the vehicles in question.
The impetus for the intensified scrutiny stemmed from a surge in reports detailing instances of school vehicles exceeding permissible student capacity and accounts of unsafe transportation practices, notably involving autorickshaws. Further exacerbating concerns were instances of school buses lacking valid fitness certificates, raising significant doubts about the safety and roadworthiness of vehicles entrusted with student transport. The police action was a direct response to these alarming trends.
SP Shankar also noted that meetings were convened with autorickshaw drivers prior to the reopening of schools to reiterate safety protocols. He highlighted a specific incident involving a parent driving under the influence of alcohol while transporting children. He underscored the existence of stringent regulations governing vehicles engaged in transporting children and emphasized the mandatory nature of adherence to these regulations.
Acknowledging the potential for disruption to school schedules, SP Shankar affirmed that current measures are designed to minimize the impact on classes. He stated that after alternative transportation arrangements are secured, a subsequent inspection drive will be conducted to ensure sustained compliance. Parents were explicitly cautioned against overloading vehicles with children in an attempt to curtail transportation costs, emphasizing the paramount importance of student safety. The Udupi District Police Department has signaled its unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of students utilizing school transport, with continued vigilance and enforcement efforts planned for the foreseeable future.
