35 pre-primary kids stuffed in private vehicle; rescued by Haryana Transport Department team
A team of the Haryana Transport Department, led by the District Transport Officer (DTO)-cum-Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Secretary, Hairatjit Kaur Brar, on Thursday rescued 35 pre-primary children being transported in a private vehicle with a carrying capacity of 14.
The cruiser vehicle, with Haryana registration number, was intercepted by the DTO-cum-RTA Secretary-led team near Alipur toll plaza on National Highway.
Sharing details, Brar said the students belonged to New Standard School in Barwala under Panchkula district.
“A private cruiser was stopped near Alipur toll plaza on National Highway near Barwala. The vehicle was found carrying 35 students, exceeding the permitted capacity of 14,” she told The Tribune.
The official disclosed that a male attendant was sitting with the school children, which was also against the rules. “As per rules, the attendant should be female; the children were stuffed and found standing in the vehicle, leaving most of them gasping for air in the hot weather,” she revealed.
Brar informed that the vehicle was detained and the students were safely transferred to the school bus, which was called from the school by the RTA officials.
“A challan of Rs 25,000 has been issued to the erring vehicle owner,” Brar said, while adding that the school administration was also notified and further action will be taken as per the laid down norms to ensure the strict compliance of the road safety protocols in Panchkula.
