17-05-2025
School buses inspected in Coimbatore ahead of new academic year
Ahead of the new academic year, over 1,700 school buses were inspected for safety compliance in Coimbatore, with District Collector Pavankumar G. Giriyappanavar overseeing the checks at the Police Recruits School (PRS) grounds on Saturday.
A total of 1,741 school buses, operated by 274 private schools across the district, were inspected under the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles (Regulation and Control of School Buses) Rules. Of these, 945 vehicles passed, while 58 were turned away due to lack of proper certification or other deficiencies.
The inspection focused on safety aspects such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, emergency exits, front and rear cameras, and the overall condition of the vehicles. Officials also verified availability of the required documentation, including fitness certificates.
As part of the safety initiative, drivers were also screened for vision problems. Those requiring further medical attention were referred to the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital.
The Collector said school buses must operate within prescribed speed limits, particularly in urban areas, safety protocols must be adhered to at all times, not just during inspections, and strict action would be taken against school managements that failed to comply with the safety regulations.
The public, he said, could report to the police about overloading in auto-rickshaws, especially those carrying more children than permitted.
The Fire and Rescue Services Department conducted a demonstration on emergency evacuation procedures and the use of fire extinguishers in school vehicles as part of the programme.
