Strict Implementation of School Bus Safety Rules Must for Student Protection: Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar

Reported by Mubarak Ansari
Pune, 11th June 2025: Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar has emphasized the urgent need for strict compliance with school bus safety regulations to ensure the protection of school-going children. Addressing a meeting of the District School Student Transport Safety Committee at the Police Commissionerate, he said that student transportation is a sensitive issue and all stakeholders must work together to prevent any untoward incidents.

The meeting saw the participation of key officials including Joint Commissioner of Police Ranjan Kumar Sharma, Additional Commissioner Manoj Patil, DCP (Traffic) Dr. Sandeep Bhajibhakare, Regional Transport Officer Archana Gaikwad, and other RTO officials from Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, and Baramati, as well as representatives from the Zilla Parishad, Municipal Councils, and the Education Department.

Key Safety Directives from Police Commissioner Kumar:

CCTV cameras must be installed in all school buses and student transport vehicles.
Female staff must accompany children under the age of 6 during transit.

Police verification of all transport staff including drivers, cleaners, and conductors is mandatory.

Drivers must be well-trained, medically fit, and have a clean moral and driving record. Eye tests and regular medical checkups are necessary.

Each school must have an active School Transport Committee to oversee and ensure safety compliance.

Strict inspection of private vehicles transporting students must be carried out regularly.

Commissioner Kumar stressed that schools must take full responsibility for the safety of the students they transport, and that coordination between schools, the police, and the transport department is vital to prevent accidents involving school buses.

Massive Enforcement Action by RTO:
In a presentation at the meeting, Pune Deputy RTO Swapnil Bhosale revealed that the transport department inspected 1,321 school buses and 650 other vehicles between January 1 and May 31, 2025. Violations were found in 414 school buses and 208 other vehicles, leading to fines totaling ₹55.23 crore.

The enforcement was part of an effort to curb illegal and unsafe transport of students, and Bhosale indicated that such checks would continue in collaboration with the police and education departments.

Authorities concluded that urgent, coordinated action is needed to ensure every child reaches school and home safely. Schools have been directed to immediately review and upgrade their transport systems in line with safety norms.