Despite a crackdown, only 4,631 vehicles are registered as school vans with the government’s transport department
As many as 70,000-80,000 cabs are plying illegally as school vans flouting all the safety norms in the national Capital. Only 4,631 cabs are registered as school vans with the Delhi government's transport department.
In a meeting in August 2017 with the Delhi Cabs Association, which was protesting against a crackdown on these vans, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had given time till January 2018 to get registered. However, till date, not many cabs have turned up to be registered as a school van. The van -- an Omni (up to five seaters) -- which met with the accident on Thursday, killing a seven-year-old, had stuffed 11 children above the capacity, which is one of the major violation of norms.
"Over 70,000 such vans, maxi cabs and buses are plying illegally in the city without valid permits and flouting safety norms. We had started a drive against these cabs last year. They were given a window to register till January this year, however, not many turned up," officials said.
In order to get registered as a school cab, it is required that the owners have a commercial license, fixed cap on the number of children to be ferried, safety precautions, adequate and comfortable seating space, adequate ventilation, Public Service Vehicle (PSV) badges and verification of driver's antecedents approved by the regional transport authority (RTO).
The Delhi government's transport department had till July last year seized 751 school vans and over 25 buses plying without "commercial permits" while the drivers' "antecedents too had not been verified" by the authorities.
Only last year, the Delhi traffic police had written to the transport department to look into the issue as most of these drivers do not carry valid permits or licenses. Many drivers did not wear PSV badges --- mandatory for those driving commercial vehicles.
The crackdown was prompted by the incident of rape of a minor girl in outer Delhi's Najafgarh area allegedly by the school van driver in which the victim was being ferried.
Even in 2008, the cab owners were given time to convert into legal school vans, however, it was not complied with, a senior official said.
According to data available in 2016, a total of 14.70 lakh students were being ferried to school in these illegally plying vans.
VOICES
Parents should prefer school buses because of safety as these buses follow all the regulations. They should not put the lives of their children at stake by hiring private vehicles.
—Bharat Arora,General Secretary, Action committee of unaided recognised private school, Delhi
As a parent, safety is the most important concern I have for my ward. The administrative section of the school should take strict measures to ensure the safety of children - both at its premises and in the vehicle. I don’t want to go to work thinking my children aren’t safe.
—Priya Iqbal, a parent
In the absence of school transport facility, parents living in localities like JJ colonies have no option but to opt for private vehicles. The government should make it mandatory for all schools to provide vehicles in each and every locality.
—Nahida Shah, parent
No. of illegally plying vans
70,000 to 80,000
No. of legal school vehicles (registered with govt)
Vans 4,631
Buses 4,275
Maxi cabs 7,583
Motor cabs 1,522
Guidelines to be followed for school transport as per the DoE
For buses organised by schools
- The number of students in buses/vehicles is limited to the maximum permitted capacity
- A female teaching/non-teaching staff is deployed on every bus till the last boarding/de-boarding point
- The driver should have valid license issued by licensing authorities of NCT Delhi and PSV badge.
- Driver should have minimum 5 years of work experience
- The bus should fulfill the permit conditions
- It has to be ensured that the deployed driver has not been challaned for traffic rule violations, drunk driving, driving dangerously or for any offences.
For private buses organised by parents
- Parents should provide private cab drivers’ verification to the school
- Parents should ensure that there is a lady attendant/mother volunteer always present in the van
- The maximum number of children is limited as per norms based on the type of vehicle.
- Principal/HOS has conducted at least 1 meeting every 6 months with parents to discuss safety of children in private vans.
- School should ensure the register of children coming by private vans is always maintained and updated
- A circular should be shared by the school with parents of children travelling by private cabs regarding their dropping time which is 15 minutes before the school time.
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