Ban on school vans leads to traffic chaos in Jammu

Ranjit Thakur

Jammu, July 16

Severe traffic congestion was witnessed outside various schools in Jammu on the second consecutive day on Tuesday after the ban on vans ferrying students.

Hundreds of parents whose children used to go on vans to schools had to face a tough situation due to the traffic congestion on different routes as the operators remained off the roads on the second day and held a protest against the government decision.

“We depend on schools vans for our children, but we are facing huge inconvenience for the past two days. The ban on vans is causing problems for us as we both are working parents and there is no one to drop and pick up our child from the school. It’s really difficult for us to manage the situation,” said Suresh, a resident of Pakka Danga.

“We are not against the decision as the government is taking steps for the safety of our children, but they should come up with a better alternative. It’s not possible for working class people to pick and drop their children by leaving their jobs,” Madhvi, another resident, said.

Meanwhile, Transport Welfare Committee chairman TS Wazir said, “In two meetings held on Tuesday, one with the Transport Commissioner and second with the Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, the government decided to come up with a new policy within one or two months for the private vehicles engaged by different schools. However, till then these vehicles are allowed to operate normally.”

“The decision was taken after a public outcry on the ban on school van operators, which are around 3,000 in Jammu. However, after a new policy is framed, all private vehicles have to adhere to the guidelines set by the government,” he added.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Jammu, Joginder Singh said, “Though the van operators have been allowed to ferry students again, we will continue to be strict with them. If they violate any traffic rule, strict action will be taken against them.”