Hyderabad: Transport dept books 62 school buses over safety norm breaches

Hyderabad: In a major enforcement drive, the Transport Department has booked 62 school buses operating within Greater Hyderabad limits for flouting key safety and documentation norms, including operating without valid fitness certificates.

The checks, carried out on June 12 and 13, come at the start of the new academic year and aim to clamp down on unsafe student transport practices.

Fitness certificates, safety gear missing

Inspections were conducted across various schools in Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy, and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts. On June 13, the Central Zone recorded the highest number of violations, with 10 buses found operating without permits, valid fitness certificates, and necessary safety equipment like first aid kits and fire extinguishers.

Zone-wise Violations (June 13):

Central Zone: 10 cases – lacking permits, FCs, and safety gear

North Zone: 3 cases – missing FCs, permits, first aid kits, and extinguishers

East Zone: 3 cases – no first aid kits and extinguishers

West Zone: 3 cases – no fitness certificates

South Zone: 3 cases – operating without permits, taxes paid, and FCs

DTT Nagole: 3 cases – no FCs and unpaid vehicle taxes

Alarming trends continue year after year

Joint Transport Commissioner (Vigilance & Enforcement), M. Chandrasekhar Goud, said, “In many school bus accidents, lack of fitness and driver negligence are key contributing factors. Despite repeated warnings, many schools continue to violate transport rules.”

According to department data, of the 13,552 school buses across the three districts, 1,825 are operating without valid fitness certificates, raising serious safety concerns.

Outdated buses still on roads

Officials highlighted that several private schools, especially on the city's outskirts, continue to use outdated or second-hand buses, often lacking essential safety features such as emergency exits, fire extinguishers, and speed governors. There are even allegations that some RTA staff issue fitness certificates without conducting proper inspections.

Public, parents demand accountability

Parents and child safety activists have demanded transparency in the fitness certification process. “This is not just a legal issue—it’s about the safety of our children,” said a parent from Uppal.

Ongoing inspections, stricter penalties

The Transport Department has formed special enforcement teams to conduct random checks in the coming weeks. Buses found violating norms will be seized immediately, and school managements will be held liable.

Parents have been urged to actively check the fitness and condition of the vehicles transporting their children and report violations to the authorities.