NVI Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 16(NVI): In a significant move to enhance student safety, Transport Commissioner Vishesh Mahajan has set January 31, 2025, as the deadline for installing CCTV cameras in all school buses in Jammu and Kashmir.
An official statement said the directive follows the Supreme Court’s safety guidelines for school transportation and aims to ensure continuous monitoring of drivers and support staff during transit.
During a high-level meeting with representatives from various schools, Mahajan stressed the importance of a comprehensive safety audit for vehicles ferrying students. He called for active cooperation from school authorities to ensure compliance with the new measures. The installation of CCTV cameras, along with other safety requirements, is intended to provide a safer and more secure environment for children.
The commissioner also directed schools to fit all vehicles with functional speed governors, setting the speed limit at 40 km/h as per the guidelines. Additionally, he warned that school buses found violating safety norms—such as overloading, over speeding, or lacking essential safety features—would be seized immediately.
Apart from the mandatory CCTV cameras, schools were instructed to ensure that buses have emergency exits, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, GPS trackers, seat belts, and fire detection alarm systems. The schools were also urged to conduct regular counseling sessions with parents to discourage underage driving among students and raise awareness about its consequences.
During the meeting, it was highlighted that while many schools have their own fleet of buses, private vehicles hired by parents are also used for student transportation. The commissioner emphasized that it is the responsibility of schools to ensure these private vehicles also adhere to safety norms.
The meeting, attended by senior officials, including Joint Transport Commissioner Vinay Samotra and Assistant Transport Commissioner, aimed to reinforce the government’s commitment to the safety of schoolchildren. Mahajan urged schools to ensure compliance with all measures and reiterated that the safety of students is a non-negotiable priority.
This initiative, coupled with strict enforcement of the guidelines, is expected to reduce risks and create a safer commuting environment for schoolchildren across Jammu and Kashmir (News Vibes of India)
