Unsafe school vehicles

The heartrending death of four children consumed by flames as their school van caught fire in Sangrur district a couple of days ago must serve as a wake-up call to the state authorities to implement their safety protocols. Despite the crackdown on school vehicles in the light of tragic crashes happening with alarming regularity, it is indeed criminal that an allegedly condemned, old van was being allowed to ferry such precious cargo. Even as the school principal, management and van driver have been rightly put in the dock, the gross neglect of the state authorities accountable for regular inspection and evaluation of vehicles regarding their fitness as per the norms also needs to be brought under the lens.

The horrifying accident has shaken up the trust of lakhs of parents who place their faith in the yellow buses and vans and other vehicles for transporting their little ones to school. The onus of providing a safe transport environment is on the government. Accidents do happen and one can never be too cautious when school buses are on the road. Every possible measure needs to be taken to prevent that no more kids come home from school charred in coffins. It once again drives home the importance of zero tolerance for unsafe roads and vehicles. The higher authorities cannot limit their responsibility to ordering inquiries and distributing ex gratia. Such acts, unless followed by urgency in fleshing out the facts and getting to the bottom of the matter, fail to plug the gaps that lead to the loss of innocent lives.

Certain and quick punishment to the guilty is the only effective deterrent. Sadly, it is rarely that responsibility is pinned on a government official or a school administrator. Unfit vehicles plying pell-mell on dangerous roads, a sure recipe for disaster, are not an uncommon sight. A Tribune report shows how ill equipped the Punjab government is to ensure a safe journey to schoolchildren: it has only four motor vehicle inspectors for examining three lakh vehicles a year. There’s a long way to go before the parents’ confidence is restored.

Join Whatsapp Channel of The Tribune for latest updates.