35 school kids stuffed in vehicle with capacity of 14

A team of the Haryana Transport Department on Thursday challaned a private vehicle for transporting 35 pre-primary children against its capacity of 14 passengers. The team was led by the District Transport Officer (DTO)-cum-Regional Transport Authority (RTA) Secretary, Hairatjit Kaur Brar.

The tiny tots were packed in the vehicle, bearing a Haryana registration number, in a cruel manner when it was intercepted by the team near the Alipur toll plaza on the national highway.

Brar said the students belonged to New Standard School in Barwala under Panchkula district.

“A private cruiser (HR68A6731) was stopped near the Alipur toll plaza on the national highway near Barwala. The vehicle was found carrying 35 students (pre-primary classes) exceeding the permitted capacity of 14,” she told The Tribune.

The DTO-cum-RTA Secretary disclosed that a male attendant was sitting with the schoolchildren, which was against the rules. “There should be a female attendant as per rules. The children were stuffed in the small vehicle, many were standing and gasping for air in the hot weather,” she revealed.

The official said the vehicle was impounded and the students were safely transferred to a 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,” she said, while adding that the school administration was also notified. Further action will be taken as per the laid down norms to ensure the strict compliance of the road safety protocols in Panchkula district, she added.

Chandigarh