Gurgaon: In response to repeated incidents of school buses stranded in traffic and caught in severe waterlogging during heavy rainfall, Uttam Singh, DM-cum-chairman of DDMA, Gurgaon, has invoked the Disaster Management Act (sections 30/34), ordering an immediate school transport safety protocol until Sept 30 or until further notice.All schools, traffic police, transport authorities, and civic bodies will deploy real-time bus tracking, route contingency plans, and swift evacuation protocols during heavy rainfall.DCP (traffic) must appoint an ACP-rank nodal officer within 24 hours for school route coordination, with an alternate officer. Contact details must be shared with DM, DEO, and DEEO for real-time accountability during rain disruptions.The nodal officer must generate and transmit status reports detailing whether route points are ‘clear,’ ‘slow-moving,’ or ‘waterlogged and to be avoided’ on all days with IMD alerts or rainfall in the preceding 12 hours. Reports must follow a strict schedule: morning (5.30am), midday (10.30am), afternoon (12.30pm). Flash updates issued within 30 minutes of heavy rain or route blockage must be issued immediately.Additionally, DCP (traffic) must deploy personnel, tow trucks, and PCR support at identified choke points during peak dispersal hours, prioritising school bus movements.Haryana Roadways must pre-position standby all-weather buses at designated spots to transfer students from stranded buses, ensuring no child is left unattended. Traffic police can request spare buses, drivers, or conductors verbally, regularised later. They may also seek dewatering pumps, cranes, and barricades from GMDA/MCG as needed.District education officer (DEO) and district elementary education officer (DEEO) have been directed to create a WhatsApp broadcast group and bulk SMS/e-mail list within 24 hours, including principals, school heads, and transport in-charges of all govt, private, aided, recognised, and multi-board schools across the district.A copy of the list must be submitted to DCP (traffic) and DM’s office. The nominated nodal official must forward every update to all schools strictly within 15 minutes of receipt, including on work-from-home or school-closure advisory days. DEO/DEEO must ensure total coverage across all blocks and submit a weekly compliance report to DM’s office every Monday by 3pm.All schools in Gurgaon must appoint a transport in charge, display their contact details on notice boards and websites, and provide them to education officers. Buses are barred from waterlogged routes; only designated alternates may be used. If no safe route exists, students should stay on campus under supervision, and parents should be notified. No child should be dropped at unsafe stops.Every bus must carry a staff escort, drinking water, and a driver briefed to avoid flooded stretches and underpasses. Route or timing changes must be communicated via SMS or school apps. Basements and low-lying areas are banned for student assembly during rain. Electrical panels and exposed wiring must be inspected before dispersal.Dewatering agencies have been asked to prioritise school routes and gate areas during dispersal and confirm clearance to traffic police nodal officers. Waterlogging nodal officers must stay physically present at their posts during and after rain.GMDA and MCG must supply extra equipment as requested by DCP (traffic) and appoint a liaison officer. Haryana Roadways must dedicate a standby fleet of buses and drivers, submit location details to DM and DCP (traffic) within 48 hours, and not divert these vehicles on IMD alert days.To ensure strict compliance, additional deputy commissioner (ADC), Gurgaon, has been appointed as the overall monitoring officer. The ADC will convene a joint weekly review meeting every Friday throughout the remainder of the monsoon season.
