Chandigarh: Chandigarh deputy commissioner Nishant Kumar Yadav on Tuesday issued a one-month ultimatum to private schools in Chandigarh, directing them to restore designated parking spaces and strictly enforce the Safe Transportation Policy for Students (STRAPS).“Schools must restore parking spaces as per approved building plans within one month. Non-compliance will invite strict action against the defaulters,” Yadav said.He further directed the Director of School Education to issue immediate instructions to all schools having parking facilities to ensure that boarding and de-boarding of students takes place strictly within the school premises.The directives were issued after a review meeting exposed widespread violations that triggered severe parking chaos outside schools. Several private schools were found to have illegally altered their layouts without obtaining approval for revised building plans (RBP). In many cases, designated parking areas were illegally converted into classrooms, playgrounds, courts or other facilities.This rampant encroachment completely wiped out parking space inside campuses, forcing parents and guardians to park vehicles haphazardly on busy public roads. The situation led to massive traffic jams, chaotic scenes with long queues of cars, honking and serious safety hazards for students during morning drop-offs and afternoon pick-ups every day.“Student safety is paramount. Schools with internal parking must ensure pick-up and drop-off happens inside the premises. They are also required to deploy their own staff to manage traffic and maintain one-way flow during school hours so that students do not have to cross roads,” the Deputy Commissioner emphasised.Under the UT administration’s STRAPS policy, schools with internal parking are mandated to ensure boarding and de-boarding of students takes place inside the campus. Schools are also required to deploy their own manpower to manage traffic, maintain one-way flow and prevent students from crossing roads.The meeting also flagged non-compliance with lease conditions, which require many educational institutions to reserve 15% of seats free of cost for students from Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). The Estate Office was directed to verify compliance across all lessee schools and submit a detailed report.The Chandigarh administration made it clear that it will take firm action to end the daily traffic chaos and safety risks around schools by strictly enforcing the STRAPS policy.BOX: DC INSTRUCTIONSPrivate schools directed to restore designated parking spaces as per approved building plansSchools directed to ensure student pick-up and drop-off takes place strictly inside the campus where parking is availableSchools must deploy their own manpower to regulate traffic and ensure one-way flow during opening and closing hoursFailure to remove encroachments and restore parking within one month will invite strict action against defaultersEstate Office directed to verify compliance with 15% free seats reservation for EWS students in lessee schoolsDirector of School Education directed to issue immediate instructions to all schools concerned regarding STRAPS compliance
