GURGAON: The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has issued strict monsoon safety directives for school buses, ordering schools to avoid waterlogged routes and ensure standby buses are available to rescue students stranded due to flooding or vehicle breakdowns.The directions, issued by District Magistrate-cum-DDMA Chairman Uttam Singh under Sections 30 and 34 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, will remain in force until September 30 or until further orders.Under the new protocol, the traffic police will appoint a nodal officer of at least ACP rank to monitor school routes and issue regular updates classifying them as “Clear”, “Slow-moving” or “Waterlogged and to be avoided”. Reports will be issued in the morning, midday and afternoon on days when there is an IMD alert or rainfall in the preceding 12 hours. Flash updates must be issued within 30 minutes of intense rainfall or when a route becomes impassable.Traffic police have also been directed to deploy personnel, tow trucks and PCR support at identified choke points during school dispersal hours. In coordination with Haryana Roadways, standby buses will be positioned at designated locations to transfer students from stranded or broken-down school buses to their schools or the nearest safe location.Schools have been instructed not to send buses onto declared waterlogged routes and to use alternate routes wherever possible. If no safe alternative is available, students must remain on school premises under staff supervision while parents are informed.Each school must designate a Transport In-charge or Route Safety Officer and ensure that every bus has a staff escort. Drivers have been specifically instructed not to enter flooded stretches or underpasses. Schools must also ensure that children are not dropped at flooded or unattended stops and are handed over only to authorized guardians.The orders also require schools to stagger student dispersal, send advance alerts about route or timing changes, and avoid using basements or other low-lying areas for student assembly during rain. Electrical panels and exposed wiring must be inspected before students are dispersed.The District Education Officer and District Elementary Education Officer have been asked to establish dedicated WhatsApp broadcast groups and bulk SMS/email lists covering all government and private schools in the district. Traffic updates must be forwarded to schools within 15 minutes of receipt.Civic agencies, including GMDA, MCG, Haryana Roadways, MC Manesar, HSVP, PWD (B&R) and NHAI, have been directed to prioritize dewatering along school bus routes and around school gates during dispersal hours.Haryana Roadways must earmark standby buses and drivers and submit their locations to the district administration and traffic police within 48 hours. The buses are not to be diverted for other duties on IMD alert days.The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Gurgaon, has been appointed as the overall monitoring officer and will hold weekly coordination meetings with traffic police, education officials, GMDA, Haryana Roadways and MCG throughout the remaining monsoon season.
