School bus safety has become a top priority in Pune, as highlighted by Police Commissioner Retesh Kumaarr during a School Student Transport District Safety Committee meeting held at the Police Commissionerate. The meeting brought together esteemed guests including Joint Commissioner of Police Sandeep Karnik, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Vijay Kumar Magar, and other prominent officials in the field of transportation and law enforcement.
During the meeting, Commissioner Kumaarr emphasized the critical importance of ensuring the safety of school students during transportation. He urged schools and school bus operators to strictly adhere to the school bus rules in order to safeguard the well-being of students. The commissioner stressed the need to prevent accidents and other hazardous incidents during student transportation, placing a strong emphasis on enforcing the rules governing school buses.
One of the key points discussed was the inclusion of female helpers in buses carrying girls. Commissioner Kumaarr highlighted the importance of having female staff on board to provide a safe and comfortable environment for female students. He also emphasized that drivers should possess proper training and maintain an excellent track record to ensure the highest level of safety for the students.
In addition to emphasizing the responsibilities of the School Transport Committee, Commissioner Retesh Kumaarr proposed a joint special campaign involving the police department, traffic branch, and transport department. The campaign aims to enhance the safety of women working night shifts in information technology companies and other locations, as well as senior citizens and all passengers traveling during nighttime. This comprehensive approach highlights the commitment of the authorities to ensure the safety of all individuals, regardless of age or gender, during their commute.
To streamline the work of the School Bus Student Transport Committee in the district, a dedicated website named “https://schoolbussafetypune.org” has been launched. The website serves as a platform for schools and bus operators to register and provide necessary information related to their buses and routes. Currently, 5,731 schools have already registered on the website, out of a total of 9,663 school buses in the district. Deputy Regional Transport Officer Sanjeev Bhor appealed to the education department to encourage the remaining schools to register on the platform, ensuring comprehensive coverage and effective coordination.
Highlighting the efforts made to enforce transportation rules, the transport department conducted inspections between January 1 and July 10 of the ongoing year. During this period, 709 school buses and 417 other vehicles were inspected to curb the illegal transportation of school students. Among the vehicles inspected, 178 school buses and 84 others were found to be in violation, leading to the impoundment of 35 vehicles. Fines totaling INR 29,75,000 were collected for violations of transportation rules, sending a strong message that adherence to safety regulations is of utmost importance.
The proactive measures taken by the Police Commissioner and the collaborative efforts of various departments demonstrate a firm commitment to ensuring the safety of school students during their commute. By enforcing school bus rules, implementing a special campaign, and launching a dedicated website, Pune is making significant strides towards creating a safer transportation environment for all.
