Panchkula: The traffic police challaned 23 autorickshaws and nine school buses, besides impounding two vehicles, during a special drive against overloading and other safety violations in school transport vehicles across the district.In one of the most glaring violations, an autorickshaw was found carrying 15 schoolchildren. Two students were seated on either side of the driver, while four to five children each occupied two benches behind the driver’s seat. The vehicle’s luggage compartment had also been converted into a makeshift seating area with a bench for three students, posing a serious risk to their safety.DCP (crime and traffic) Amrinder Singh said special checking teams led by traffic SHO (city) Varinder Kumar and traffic SHO (Surajpur) Abhishek inspected school buses and autos Wednesday to ensure compliance with safety norms.During the drive, police checked fire extinguishers, first-aid boxes, speed governors, fitness certificates, uniforms of drivers and conductors, mandatory documents and other safety arrangements. A total of 23 autos and nine school buses were challaned, while two vehicles were impounded for violations.Commissioner of police Pankaj Nain urged school managements and parents to work with the police to ensure children’s safety during their daily commute. He stressed that parents should verify whether vehicles transporting their children comply with prescribed safety standards.He also called upon school authorities to regularly monitor vehicle fitness, safety equipment, documentation and the eligibility of drivers and conductors. Parents and schools, he said, should remain vigilant about vehicle conditions and overloading and immediately report any negligence to the police.
