Kolkata Enforces Stricter Safety Norms for School Transportation

The West Bengal government has mandated that all school buses and pool cars in Kolkata must be equipped with safety devices, adhere to a maximum speed of 40 kmph, and be painted in specified colors. The move aims to enhance the safety of school children, involving various stakeholders in its implementation.

The West Bengal government has enforced new safety norms for school buses and pool cars in Kolkata, requiring them to install vehicle location tracking devices, panic buttons, and speed limiting devices.

According to an advisory issued by Transport Secretary Saumitra Mohan, these vehicles must strictly adhere to a maximum speed limit of 40 kmph to ensure the safety of school-going children.

The advisory further dictates that all school buses be painted mustard yellow with a navy blue band and the school's name inscribed in white on the band. Additionally, school buses should not have curtains or tinted windows, and should be equipped with white-lighting to make inside activities visible from outside.

Each bus must also have school bag racks protected with grills, a fire extinguisher, a first-aid box, and seatbelts for every seat. Contact details of the school authority, local police station control room number, and Child Line Helpline must be prominently displayed both inside and outside the bus.

Only hard-top vehicles will be allowed as pool cars, with no permissible alterations to seating capacity. This comprehensive advisory was developed in consultation with a wide array of stakeholders including the transport and education departments, police, school authorities, bus operators, civil society organizations, and guardians.

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