Safety Shutdown: Raigarh Blacklists School Buses for Non-Compliance

The transport department in Raigarh district, Chhattisgarh, has taken stern action by blacklisting 106 school buses. These buses failed to attend scheduled safety inspections crucial for their operational fitness, an action confirmed by an official statement on Wednesday.

The inspections, organized at the Shaheed Colonel Viplav Tripathi Stadium in June, followed a 16-point procedure established by a committee appointed by the Supreme Court. Despite notices issued to the operators of these buses, their non-compliance led to disciplinary measures including blacklisting and further inspections by a dedicated flying squad.

On July 26, additional inspections revealed defects in 11 buses belonging to a private school and university. A penalty totaling Rs 55,000 was levied, and the institutions have been directed to implement necessary improvements to adhere to safety mandates.

(With inputs from agencies.)