State told to start helpline to tackle school bus plaints

Mumbai: The Bombay high court has directed the state to take step to address the school bus safety issue and also start a helpline number for lodging complaints against school bus safety violations. The petitioner while referring to a recent order of the Indore high court said that the bench should issue stringent orders akin to the ones passed by the Indore high court that said that it would not tolerate compromising safety of school children who travel by buses. 

A division bench of justices Naresh Patil and Nitin Sambre while hearing the public interest litigation filed by PTA United Forum was informed that despite the centre defining school buses and making specific rules for safety of children using school buses, the state was doing nothing to curb the rampant use of light motor vehicles and auto rickshaws to transport school children in the state. 

Advocate Rama Subramanium for the forum said that while school bus associations were following all stipulated rules there was no accountability for LMV’s, rickshaws and even BEST and MSRTC buses that were used by children. Also that the centre has approved smaller school buses that can navigate through small lanes, the state was not doing anything about it.

After hearing the petitioners grouse the bench said that while it was the state’s responsibility to ensure implementation of safety rules, the forum and other NGO’s should create awareness about the perils of using LMV’s and rickshaws. 

“We see children hoarded in smaller vehicles but when the parents are asked why do they put their children to such risks the parents respond saying that such services are more affordable. What can the state or the transport department do about it?” said the bench. The bench directed the state to initiate a step-by-step process to sensitise the public about school bus safety and the dangers of using other vehicles.