Safety of schoolchildren: HC summons top officers

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, June 18

Expressing concern over traffic congestion on roads and paucity of parking space in the schools of Shimla, the HP High Court has directed the Commissioner, MC Shimla, Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, Shimla, Director Town & Country Planning, and Chief Engineer, PWD, to remain present in the court on June 27 for assisting the court on this issue.

The bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary and Justice Jyotsna Rewal Dua passed this order on a Public Interest Litigation wherein an important issue with regard to safety of children using various transport vehicles for travelling to schools was raised by the petitioner.

During the course of hearing it was informed to the court on behalf of some of the schools that they had taken steps for constructing their own parking for the safety of the schoolchildren and also suggested some measures for improving the traffic and parking conditions.

After hearing the matter the bench headed by the Acting Chief Justice directed all the aforesaid officers to remain present in the court on the next date of hearing for assisting the court on the suggestions given by the schools and listed the matter for further hearing on June 27.

In its earlier order expanding the scope of the PIL, the court had sought suggestions for safety of schoolchildren travelling in public and private transport vehicles throughout the state.

In its earlier order the court had directed the Municipal Corporation to constitute a team of municipal engineers to visit schools of Shimla town and identify parking spaces for school vehicles.