The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to ensure regular meetings of district school vehicle safety committees and establish school transport safety committees in schools across the state. The directions were issued while hearing a public interest litigation concerning compliance with safety rules for vehicles carrying schoolchildren.
A bench of Justices Alok Mathur and Brij Raj Singh directed the state’s chief secretary to issue necessary instructions and ensure that district-level committees monitor the formation and functioning of safety committees in individual schools. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on September 28.
During the proceedings, the court was informed that Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules contain specific safety and permit requirements for vehicles transporting schoolchildren. The Transport Commissioner told the court that many school vans do not have the required permits.
The rules provide for district school vehicle safety committees headed by district magistrates, along with representatives from relevant departments and the school transport sector. Every school is also required to have a school transport safety committee.
The court directed district magistrates to monitor compliance and ensure the committees perform their assigned duties. Each district magistrate must submit compliance information within one month, after which the government is required to file a compliance affidavit.
The court also directed that CBSE and CISCE be made parties to the PIL to ensure applicable school transport safety requirements are followed by affiliated schools.
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