Telangana school bus safety | Hyderabad, May 21: As schools prepare to reopen in June after the summer vacation, concerns over unsafe private school buses have once again come into focus across Telangana.
Every year, the reopening season creates anxiety among both parents and transport officials over the return of poorly maintained school buses, overloaded vans and unsafe transport vehicles carrying students across cities and towns.
The Telangana Transport Department has now issued a strict warning to private educational institutions, making it clear that every school vehicle must obtain a valid fitness certificate before schools reopen.
Officials warned that vehicles operating without proper fitness clearances will be seized and criminal cases will be registered against managements violating transport safety norms.
Authorities said many private schools focus heavily on fee collection while neglecting student safety standards. Overloaded buses, inexperienced drivers and poorly maintained vehicles continue to remain major concerns despite repeated warnings.
Transport officials stated that overloading students “like sheep” in autos, vans and buses will not be tolerated this year.
Past School Bus Accidents Exposed Serious Negligence
Several tragic accidents in recent years exposed the dangers caused by negligence, poor maintenance and weak enforcement of transport safety rules.
One of the worst incidents occurred on July 24, 2014, at Masaipet in the then united Medak district. A private school bus attempted to cross an unmanned railway gate when it was hit by a passenger train. Sixteen students along with the driver and attender died in the accident.
Officials later identified driver negligence and lack of safety precautions as major reasons behind the tragedy.
In August 2023, a private school bus in KPHB Colony rammed into a divider after brake failure, leaving several students injured.
Another accident took place in November 2024 in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri district when a speeding school bus overturned due to driver negligence. More than 15 students suffered serious injuries.
On January 2 this year, a private school bus carrying nearly 106 students met with an accident in Moddulagudem village of Khammam district. Around 40 students were injured in the mishap.
These repeated accidents intensified concerns among parents over the safety of school transport vehicles and exposed both school management negligence and gaps in transport department monitoring.
The Transport Department said school vehicles must possess valid fitness certificates, permits, insurance and pollution control certificates. Authorities also stressed that schools must not exceed approved seating capacity under any circumstances.
Telangana school bus safety
Drivers must possess valid driving licences and sufficient experience. School buses should also be equipped with first aid kits, fire extinguishers and emergency exits.
Officials further directed schools to ensure proper functioning of brakes, tyres, lights and other mechanical systems before vehicles are allowed onto roads. Appointment of attendants for student safety has also been made mandatory.
The department clarified that educational institutions will be held fully responsible for any lapses in transport safety standards.
Officials also urged parents to remain alert and monitor the condition of vehicles used by their children. Parents were advised not to send students in overloaded autos, vans or buses operating in unsafe conditions.
Authorities reminded parents that if unsafe vehicles are seized during inspections, students may face inconvenience midway through the academic schedule.
Transport officials admitted that inspections and warnings often become seasonal exercises restricted to the first few days of school reopening. They stressed that continuous monitoring throughout the academic year is essential to prevent future tragedies.
Officials also stated that strict enforcement without political interference is necessary to remove unfit vehicles from roads permanently.
The department said every educational institution must move beyond commercial thinking and place student safety above profits.
Authorities stressed that only strict enforcement, responsible school managements and alert parents can ensure that every child reaches school safely every day.
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