High Court Slams Overloaded School Vehicles, Demands Visible Action on Roads

High Court takes strict view of overloading in school vehicles

Bhopal. The High Court has taken a strong stand against carrying more children than the permitted capacity in school vehicles and putting their safety at risk. The judges expressed anger over the condition of overloaded school vehicles and said that children must not be crammed into vehicles as if they were goods or straw.

The court made it clear that the safety of children cannot remain limited to government paperwork and official orders. It said that the action taken by the administration and the concerned departments must also be visible on the roads. Merely claiming that action has been taken in files does not fulfil the responsibility of the authorities, the court said.

The High Court’s comments have raised serious questions about the monitoring of the school transport system and the way responsible officials are carrying out their duties. School buses, vans and other vehicles used to transport children are being operated with more children than their prescribed capacity, according to the concern raised before the court.

Carrying children beyond the permitted capacity can put their lives at risk. Despite this, the continued violation of rules remains a matter of concern. The court’s response indicates that it will not accept carelessness in matters related to the safety of schoolchildren.

The court stressed the need for the concerned departments to conduct regular inspections of school vehicles. It also said that action must be taken against vehicles that violate the rules. The authorities must ensure that children travel safely between their homes and schools, both from home to school and from school back home.

The High Court’s message was clear: children are not goods to be stuffed into vehicles. The responsibility for their safety must be carried out on the ground. Action should not remain confined to government files and official records; it should be visible on the roads.