School reopening nears in Telangana, but 8k buses not yet fit to ferry students
HYDERABAD: With schools to reopen on June 12, parents and students face a concerning situation as 8,657 buses operated by educational institutions remain off the roads, confined to garages across the state.
According to data from the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), there are 25,677 buses operated by educational institutions. However, only 17,020 of these buses have fitness certificates so far.
In Greater Hyderabad alone, over 3,000 school buses still need to undergo mandatory fitness tests, despite the Regional Transport Authority having made this facility available for the past three weeks.
The Motor Vehicles (MV) rules mandate that school managements maintain valid fitness documentation for their vehicles.
Furthermore, these buses must be equipped with emergency exits and fire safety equipment.
The RTA conducts annual inspections to assess vehicle condition before issuing fitness certificates, which are required prior to the commencement of transport services for the academic year.
In addition, the RTA will scrutinise auto-rickshaws and omni buses, having found that many of these vehicles are operating beyond their permitted passenger capacity.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
외우지 않아도 영어가 기억된다면? 40분만 투자해보세요
스티븐영어
지금 시작하기
Undo
From June 12, surprise checks will be carried out to determine whether these vehicles meet fitness standards, avoid overloading, and are not unauthorisedly used for transporting pupils.
The Transport department has issued instructions to all District Transport Officers (DTOs) and Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) to conduct a special drive across their respective jurisdictions, focusing exclusively on vehicles used to transport school children.
They have been instructed to check for valid fitness certificates, compliance with seating capacity norms, and the unauthorised use of private vehicles for commercial or hire purposes. Vehicles found to be unfit or dangerously overloaded are to be taken off the road, with proper records maintained of all inspections and violations.
"School buses over 15 years old must not be operated. If such ageing or unfit vehicles are used to transport students, not only will the vehicles be seized, but legal action will be initiated against the managements. The responsibility for maintaining vehicles operated by educational institutions lies with school management. The buses must be kept in good condition, and experienced drivers must be employed," said M Chandrasekhar Goud, joint transport commissioner (Vigilance & Enforcement).
Follow more information on
Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here
. Get
real-time live updates
on rescue operations and check
full list of passengers onboard AI 171
.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
IITMS pilot signals fail to deliver promised results
1 2 3 4 5 6 Nagpur: The much-anticipated Integrated Intelligent Traffic Management System (IITMS) in Nagpur has failed to deliver the expected results. Although the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) initially announced the pilot's launch by June 15, it has now pushed the date further to June 25, following repeated glitches in system performance during test runs. As part of the pilot, the civic body installed new traffic signals and high-resolution cameras at 10 major junctions across the city to test the core features of the Rs 197-crore state-funded IITMS project. These junctions were equipped with modern signal systems, surveillance units, and electronic infrastructure meant to streamline traffic flow, monitor violations, and reduce congestion. "However, the early outcomes have been far from encouraging. The signals and surveillance network are not functioning reliably. After the hardware was installed, communication and coordination issues between the signals, control room, and field devices prevented the system from operating seamlessly," confirmed a senior NMC official privy to the development. NMC has formally communicated its dissatisfaction to the contractor responsible for the implementation. The city traffic police too have flagged multiple concerns, ranging from erratic signal synchronisation to system lags in transmitting real-time data to the control room. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo In response, the implementing company has been directed to address the technical shortcomings without further delay. The IITMS, once fully operational, is expected to offer multiple benefits — including adaptive traffic signalling, violation detection, real-time CCTV surveillance, and integration with the city police and NMC control rooms. The system's biggest promise lies in its ability to automatically detect violations such as red-light jumping, helmetless riding, and speeding, while also helping to manage peak-hour congestion. Despite these ambitious goals, the on-ground situation tells a different story. The pilot project, which should have been a showcase for smart traffic management, has instead become a point of concern for authorities already battling public criticism over rising violations and worsening traffic conditions. According to sources, the electric department has also raised concerns over technical integration and electricity supply stability, which are affecting signal performance. Meanwhile, messages and displays on the new signal poles have attracted public curiosity, but the system itself remains non-functional.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Insurer must cover compensation for accident involving relief vehicle, rules Karnataka high court
Bengaluru: Karnataka high court has ruled that the insurance company must cover compensation for an accident involving a relief or spare vehicle used following the breakdown of a scheduled bus. The court stated that such use doesn't constitute a fundamental breach of permit conditions exempting the insurer from liability. The court's decision came after it allowed appeals filed by two victims and the bus owner in connection with an accident that occurred on Jan 21, 2014. At approximately 11.45am, Ganesh and Basavaraj were travelling on a motorcycle from Mudur to Haveri. Near the sugar factory in Sangur village, a high-speed private bus collided with the motorcycle, causing both riders to fall and sustain grievous injuries. The duo subsequently filed petitions seeking compensation. On Jan 24, 2017, the motor accident claims tribunal in Haveri awarded compensation, placing liability on the bus owner, KM Altaf Hussain, on the grounds that the bus had deviated from its permitted route, violating permit conditions. Ganesh received Rs 3,71,030, and Basavaraj was awarded Rs 1,27,250. The claimants appealed for increased compensation, while Altaf appealed, arguing that the insurance company should settle the compensation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Skype Phone Alternative Undo He contended that although the bus had a permit only from Shivamogga to Hangal, it travelled beyond Hangal to Haveri and was being used as a relief vehicle when the accident occurred. Justice Hanchate Sanjeevkumar, after reviewing the materials on record, noted that the vehicle was employed as a relief vehicle under compelling circumstances, which did not amount to a fundamental breach of conditions. He determined that the tribunal had erred by not exempting the case as per Rule 57 of the Karnataka Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, given the route deviation was under compelling circumstances. Allowing the claimants' appeals, the judge also increased the compensation payable to Ganesh to Rs 7,15,550, considering the severity of his injuries. It awarded Basavaraj Rs 2,24,810. The compensation must be paid by United Insurance Company Limited, the insurer of the vehicle.
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
NTR district takes up ‘Clean Air' drive with major initiatives under NCAP
Vijayawada: The NTR district administration has taken up the 'Clean Air' initiative in a big way under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), by launching a series of integrated measures aimed at reducing air pollution and improving environmental standards in Vijayawada. Authorities of NTR district conducted a high-level meeting with officials from the Pollution Control Board, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation, transport, industries, and other departments, assessed the progress made, and planned further action. Air quality monitoring data revealed that the level of PM 10 fine dust particles in the city stood at 64 µg/m³ during 2024–25. Authorities resolved to bring this number down through focused interventions in traffic, greenery, and pollution control. Among the key initiatives is the Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS), being developed at a cost of ₹5 crore. The system is expected to improve traffic flow, reduce congestion at junctions, and cut down vehicle emissions. The administration also directed that illegal parking be curbed and dedicated parking zones be created to ease road pressure. "Smooth vehicle movement through ITMS, curbing illegal parking, and encouraging e-vehicles can bring down urban pollution significantly," collector Dr G Lakshmi said during the meeting. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brass Krishna Idols For Prosperity & Protection In Life Luxeartisanship Shop Now Undo Efforts are also being intensified to promote electric and solar-powered vehicles, including e-rickshaws, and to develop oxygen parks and vertical gardens across the city. Action is being taken to identify and penalise vehicles emitting high levels of pollutants. Additionally, pollution caused by VTPS ash is to be addressed using advanced technology. On the solid waste management front, construction of proper roads, pavement development, canal bank greening, and mechanical sweeping are being prioritised. The administration is also enforcing ban on single-use plastic, particularly in shopping complexes, farmers' markets, and commercial zones. "All departments must report on plastic control measures and explore alternatives. Awareness campaigns among street vendors are equally important," Dr. Lakshmi added. A stakeholder workshop under NCAP has been scheduled for July 4 to discuss and finalise the next phase of clean air actions.
