PUNE: The Regional Transport Office (RTO) on Thursday seized 38 school vehicles for flouting norms. RTO officials said the vehicles were seized during a special drive against school vehicles.
“The district transport safety committee meeting was held recently and during the meeting, various ways to ensure safe school transport were discussed,” said officials. They added that it was decided that action will be taken against school vehicles flouting fitness norms, those carrying excess students than capacity and other offences.
“Accordingly, a drive was conducted on Thursday and 11 squads were deployed. They consisted two vehicle inspectors each, besides other officials,” they further said. RTO officials said that 227 vehicles were inspected, of which 66 were found to be flouting norms.
“Out of 66 vehicles, RTO seized 38 school vehicles. The seized vehicles include seven large buses, 15 mini buses and 16 private vans,” said officials. The officials said that during the drive, many school vehicle owners said that schools were not willing to enter into an agreement with vehicle operators, due to which the operators are not getting a school vehicle permit.
