Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: The J&K Government today extended the deadline for the mandatory installation of CCTV cameras in school buses to March 31.
The original deadline of January 31 was postponed following a request from the President of the Forum of Unaided Recognized Institutions (FOURI).
In an order issued today, Transport Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan confirmed that the extension would allow schools more time to comply with the Supreme Court’s safety guidelines. The move aims to ensure that every activity of drivers and assisting staff is closely monitored, enhancing the safety of students during their commute.
This decision comes after a meeting between the Transport Commissioner and representatives of various school authorities, addressing the safety audit of vehicles used for transporting students. The Government emphasized that all safety measures, as outlined by the Supreme Court, are being put in place to safeguard the children.
As part of the safety initiative, school authorities were reminded to ensure that vehicles are equipped with functional speed governors to limit speeds to 40 km/h, in line with regulations. Authorities warned that vehicles violating safety norms, such as overloading or overspeeding, will be seized immediately.
In addition, schools have been urged to hold counseling sessions with parents to raise awareness about the dangers of underage driving. The Transport Commissioner noted that while most schools operate their own fleet of vehicles, private vehicles used by parents must also comply with the mandatory safety guidelines.
To ensure compliance, the Government requires all school buses, including privately engaged vehicles, to have essential safety features such as emergency exit doors, fire extinguishers, first-aid kits, GPS trackers, seat belts, CCTV cameras, and fire detection alarm systems.
The deadline extension aims to give schools ample time to meet these requirements and further improve the safety of students during their daily commute.
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