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Time of India
11-08-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Replace military trucks with proper school buses: Punjab and Haryana HC directs Centre
Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the central govt to take steps to replace military trucks currently being used to transport school-going children with proper school buses that conform to statutory norms. This change is to be implemented in a phased manner to ensure the safety of school-going children from military families. In its detailed order released on Monday, the high court directed adherence to the "Automotive Industry Standard" for School Buses (AIS 063:2005) and guidelines issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). The division bench, headed by chief justice Sheel Nagu, passed these orders while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Mohali resident Pradeep Sharma. The petitioner sought directions for the central govt and military authorities to coordinate and replace the military trucks, which were illegally converted into school buses, with proper school buses adhering to govt norms in a time-bound manner. The petitioner stated that the PIL was not adversarial and was for the benefit of defence personnel and their families. He prayed that, if required, funds should also be released by the govt to the military authorities for introducing proper transport to ensure the safety of school-going children who were being forced to travel in unsafe trucks converted into school buses by adding grills and ladders. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unsold 2022 Cars Now Almost Free - Prices May Surprise You Unsold Cars | Search Ads Learn More Undo The petition pointed out that the govt had issued norms for school buses to have hard bodies with proper emergency exits, spaces below seats, front-facing seats, large windows with visibility and without curtains, CCTVs, speed governors, and many other features. These were totally lacking in the military trucks temporarily converted into buses to carry school children. It was also noted that while such a practice might have been accepted some decades ago, it has no place in modern India, where strict norms are now in place, with even the Supreme Court and high courts passing directions on the safety of school buses. Indemnity Bonds from families The order has come as a major relief and is welcomed by defence personnel, many of whom are posted in remote areas, as it eases concerns about the safety of their children. An officer, who did not want to be named, welcomed the development and mentioned that 'indemnity bonds' were being taken by military authorities from parents, relinquishing any claim against the govt in case of accidents leading to injury or death in such military trucks. MSID: 123239193 413 | Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Hindustan Times
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
MSRTC to set up 100-acre vehicle scrapping facility near Sambhaji Nagar
MUMBAI: In a bid to increase the revenue of the debt-ridden Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), the transport department has decided to set up a mega vehicle scrapping facility near Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar on 100 acre of land. It will be on Public Private Partnership (PPP) basis and the bidder will be selected on the basis of share he offers in revenue. The upcoming facility would be around 20 times bigger than the existing facilities in the state, which are on 2-5 acre of land. Mumbai, India –08 June 2018: A View of ST buses lined up at the Mumbai Central depot, after Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) workers went on a flash strike, in Mumbai, on Friday, June 08, 2018. (Photo by Bhushan Koyande/HT) In 2021, the central government came up with a policy for scientifically scrapping vehicles which are over 15 years old, under the Registered Vehicle Scrapping Facility (RVSF) guidelines. Maharashtra government adopted this policy in 2023, and as per the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS), guidelines have been laid down for granting recognition to such scrapping centres. The largest facility will be built at Khuldabad in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar district, on a 100-acre MSRTC-owned land parcel. Currently, eight authorised entities operate scrapping centers in the state, each with an annual capacity of scrapping a minimum of 1,000 vehicles. Transport minister Pratap Sarnaik on Friday held a meeting regarding the scrapping of vehicles and facility centres. 'This new centre will ensure that old vehicles are scientifically dismantled and their parts are permanently disposed off in a way that prevents reuse. The initiative is expected to generate a new and sustainable revenue stream for MSRTC,' he said. This decision is expected to earn revenue for the debt-ridden MSRTC. The white paper released last week on the financial situation of MSRTC showed that its accumulated losses for five decades stand at ₹ 10,322 crore while dues towards employees' provident fund and gratuity are ₹ 3,297 crore. A transport department officer said that the site for the new facility has access from different regions of the state. 'It's on a fast track route from Mumbai and Vidarbha region due to Samruddhi Express highway. It is close to north Maharashtra and also western Maharashtra. In the coming years, around 6000 ST buses of MSRTC would go for scrapping as they would be old. Vehicles from government offices will also go for scrapping. So there is a huge scope for this facility to give good revenue to MSRTC.' He also added that MSRTC is planning to float tender on the basis of revenue-sharing model instead of a one-time amount, and the company which will offer a bigger share would get the work.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Business
- Time of India
End of road for minibuses bought from other states?
Coimbatore: More than 800 minibus owners across Tamil Nadu will be unable to operate their vehicles from May 1. This is not because they haven't obtained permits for new routes. But because of the issues related to reregistration. The New Comprehensive Plan for the Minibus Scheme, 2024, introduced by chief minister M K Stalin, aims at improving the access to bus services in urban and rural areas, thereby ensuring last mile connectivity. Under the revised scheme, minibuses are allowed to operate up to 25km, with at least 65% of the route covering the areas unserved by Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) buses or private buses. The remaining 35% of the route could be through the areas with bus connectivity. Earlier, the maximum allowed route length was 20km, with 16km through unserved areas and the remaining 4km through the areas with bus connectivity. As part of the new scheme, around 1,500 new minibus route permits have been issued across the state. However, K Kodiyarasan, president, Tamil Nadu Minibus Owners' Federation, said the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) were not processing reregistration and seating alteration applications for minibuses purchased from other states, while those were issued new route permits. "More than 800 minibuses are yet to be reregistered because of this issue," he said. "This is not a new procedure. RTOs have done it in the past. They have the authority to reduce up to two seats for reregistration. But now, they are not processing these applications, and we don't know the exact reason. Without reregistration, we won't be able to operate these vehicles from May 1," he said. A minibus owner from Coimbatore pointed out that only brand-new buses have a maximum seating capacity of 25, excluding the driver and conductor seats. "Such vehicles cost approximately Rs32 lakh, making them unaffordable for many small operators. To reduce costs, many owners have bought second-hand buses with 28 or 29 seats from Kerala and Karnataka. These need to be modified into 27 seaters to meet the norms." Pointing out that the govt introduced this scheme to improve last mile connectivity, another Coimbatore-based minibus operator said the state should hence facilitate the reregistration process for vehicles procured from other states. "Earlier, such reregistrations were allowed. Around 50 vehicles in Coimbatore alone are affected. Even new entrepreneurs who invested in this sector are now unable to operate their buses." He said the new bus body code, AIS 052, was introduced only in 2017. "Therefore, the govt should allow reregistration of buses that were built before 2017." When contacted, a transport department official said, "If the minibuses bought from other states meet the norms, they could be registered. But many buses brought in exceed the permitted seating capacity. Additionally, they must comply with the Automotive Industry Standard (AIS) 052 for bus body design. We are still awaiting clear instructions from the govt regarding the reregistration of these vehicles."
