The Assistant Regional Transport Office, (ARTO) Shopian today initiated a crackdown on school buses violating Motor vehicle rules and Supreme Court guidelines.As part of the special drive initiated in the whole valley on the directions of RTO Kashmir, ARTO Shopian along with his team checked school buses on different routes in the district.
Muazzam Ali, ARTO Shopian, said, “An advisory was issued in February this year wherein all schools were advised to get the documents of their school buses renewed and strictly adhere to the Supreme Court guidelines regarding safety of children in school buses.
“As part of this exercise, safety-related things like window bars, footsteps, seating arrangements, first-aid boxes and other necessary safety measures were checked.Also the vehicle’s documents like fitness certificates, pollution certificates, and Insurance certificates were checked,” Muazzam Ali said.
The permits of 7 school buses found overcrowded with school children were suspended on spot. Besides 35 other vehicles violating traffic rules were e-challaned during the drive and a fine of Rs 43000 was realised as well.ARTO said the drive will be continued in the coming days as well.