Nagpur, 25

Feb (HS):- The State government plans to implement new guidelines for private

school buses starting the next academic year. The new norms may require buses

to have panic buttons, fire prevention sprinklers, GPS tracking, and CCTV

cameras.

A one-member

committee of a retired transport officer Jitendra Patil, has been formed for

the task. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik stated on Monday that the committee

must submit its report within a month.

“Thousands of school buses operate under private institutions across the

state for student transportation, and the transport department has received

several complaints about financial exploitation by private bus operators,” Sarnaik

said.

The 2011 Madan Committee’s recommendations on regulating student

transport will also be reviewed.

Key concerns include excessive transport fees, with parents paying a

full year’s fee upfront despite buses operating for only 10 months. Many

parents suggest a monthly payment system.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar