7 school buses fined in Zirakpur

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Zirakpur, April 20

Dera Bassi SDM Swati Tiwana today conducted a surprise check on school buses at the Singhpura chowk around 7.45 am. Seven private school buses were fined for non-payment of taxes, flouting norms, plying without women attendants and non-functional CCTV cameras. One vehicle was impounded for plying without documents.

An official said some vehicles used for transporting school kids were in poor condition, while first aid kits in most buses had expired. According to the rules, all educational vehicles have to carry a first aid box and a fire extinguisher.

Tiwana said, “Seven buses were fined after these were found without the necessary documents. Several irregularities were also found in the buses and directions were issued to comply with the guidelines immediately.”

The official said they found one bus in such a bad condition that it did not even have seats.

According to the rules, for children’s safety, the school bus should be properly maintained, should be roadworthy, should possess a certificate of fitness, an insurance certificate and should not emanate smoke beyond the permissible limit. Every vehicle should hold proper permit/permission.

The bus driver should not have been challaned more than three times for traffic violation such as jumping the red light, improper parking, violating the stop line, unauthorised lane changing and overtaking.