Hyderabad: Minister Ponnam Prabhakar addressed the Telangana Legislative Assembly on recent initiatives aimed at enhancing the safety of school and college buses. During the session, Prabhakar detailed the steps being taken to prevent accidents involving school transportation.
Currently, Telangana operates approximately 24,000 school buses. To ensure safety, the state has implemented a system where fitness certificates are issued only after online booking and thorough counseling of bus drivers, additional drivers, and attendants. These certificates are granted in accordance with both central and state regulations. Buses deemed unfit are being scrapped to prevent their operation.
New regulations mandate that every school bus must be equipped with a fire extinguisher, display emergency contact numbers, and carry a medical kit. The minister also responded to suggestions about timely bus operations, stating that efforts are underway to schedule buses based on school zones. Additionally, the Chief Minister has recommended adjusting bus numbers according to demand.
The Transport Department has instructed stringent enforcement of safety rules. In collaboration with UNICEF, a tracking system will be introduced in schools to educate children about traffic safety, in partnership with the education department.
