Anantnag, July 14 (JKNS): In a stringent enforcement drive against transport safety violations, the Motor Vehicles Department Anantnag on Monday seized three vehicles and blacklisted 26 others, including a school bus that was found blatantly violating mandatory safety norms.
Details available with news agency JKNS stated that the operation was conducted under the overall supervision of Transport Commissioner Vishesh Paul Mahajan and RTO Kashmir Qazi Irfan Rasool, and was led by Assistant Regional Transport Officer (ARTO) Anantnag, Mubashir Jaan, as part of a routine inspection campaign aimed at ensuring student safety in school transportation.
During the inspection, a school bus was found without GPS tracking system, panic buttons, water cooler, fire extinguisher, First Aid kit, and without an attendant on board all of which are mandatory under school transport safety rules. Officials also noted that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt, and the First Aid kit contained expired medicines, raising serious concerns over compliance and safety.
“This level of negligence is unacceptable, especially when it involves the safety of schoolchildren. Strict action has been initiated under the Motor Vehicles Act,” ARTO Mubashir Jaan told JKNS.
In addition to the three vehicles seized, the department also blacklisted 26 vehicles found violating safety and compliance norms during the drive. ARTO Jaan confirmed that more such inspections will be carried out in the coming days, and violators will be dealt with firmly to ensure public and passenger safety.
Authorities have also appealed to school managements and private operators to thoroughly review their transport operations and adhere to all mandatory safety protocols to avoid penal action. (JKNS)
