In Hosapete, Vijayanagara, the transport department has intensified its enforcement against school and college vehicles that violate safety norms, booking 103 vehicles during a recent drive and recovering Rs 11.8 lakh in taxes and penalties. Regional Transport Officer K Damodar addressed an awareness programme for drivers of school and college vehicles from educational institutions across the district on Tuesday, where he stated that the registration certificates of 61 school vehicles over 15 years old and unfit for operation were cancelled. More than 40 vehicles operating without valid permits or fitness certificates were also seized, with Rs 5.3 lakh collected as tax and Rs 6.4 lakh as penalties. Damodar emphasized that all school and college vehicles must be equipped with GPS and CCTV systems, emergency exits, and fire extinguishers, and that drivers must adhere to safe speed limits. He also directed operators to deploy an attendant on every bus to supervise children while boarding and alighting, and instructed drivers to wear uniforms and ensure their driving licence, registration certificate, fitness certificate, insurance, and pollution under control certificate remained valid. Senior motor vehicle inspectors Pradeep Hadagali and Mahmad Khalid, motor vehicle inspectors Sharanabasava and Satyanarayana Reddy, and drivers of school vehicles attended the awareness programme, where Damodar warned that strict enforcement against violations would continue, stating that there would be no compromise on children’s safety.
Transport Department Cracks Down on School Vehicles in Vijayanagara, Books 103 for Safety Violations