Bhubaneswar, Jul 21 (PTI) The State Transport Authority, Odisha has asked regional transport officers (RTOs) to ensure strict enforcement of fire safety regulations in school buses.
Transport commissioner Amitabh Thakur has issued a circular to all RTOs in this regard, the state transport department said in a statement on Sunday.
Thakur said school buses must have a fire detection alarm system (FDAS), fire detection suppression system (FDSS) and fire alarm protection system (FAPS). These systems are crucial for preventing and handling fire incidents, ensuring the safety of students traveling by bus.
Compliance with these fire safety norms as per provisions of the Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1989, is mandatory for all school buses, he said.
To ensure proper implementation, the State Transport Authority (STA) has decided to increase the scope of these measures. Strict monitoring will be conducted on the fire safety arrangements of school buses.
Zonal deputy transport commissioners and RTOs have been asked to regularly inspect these buses. Any school bus found violating these regulations will face legal action, Thakur said.
Motor vehicle inspectors have also been instructed to ensure compliance within their respective regions and to cancel the fitness certificates of non-compliant buses.
“No negligence will be tolerated regarding the safety of young students. Thus, a zero-tolerance policy is being implemented,” the transport commissioner said. PTI BBM BBM ACD
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