The inquiry will address the larger problem of children at risk while travelling on school buses. The officials have been asked to inquire whether the school buses adhere to norms which include installation of speed governors, valid licences and required experience for drivers who ply these buses and mandatory first aid boxes to deal with emergency situations. Further, the school and school bus operators are advised to engage only those drivers who have experience of minimum 5 years of driving heavy vehicles.
“The lives of school children cannot be risked at all. We will see that all the school buses fulfil the norms as laid down for the school buses,” Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Shayin said.
On January 29, at 8 am the driver of a school bus ferrying children of Vivek High School lost control of the vehicle as he swerved to avoid a car that had jumped the red light at the Press Light Point.
The bus overturned and six children were hurt. They sustained minor injuries and were rushed to the Government Multi-Specialty Hospital (GMSH), Sector 16.