Auto, van operators remain off road, parents face harrowing times

As mark of protest against the overloading check drive started by district transport department and traffic police, auto-rickshaw and school pool van operators and private town buses in the city went on strike from Tuesday. Parents had a harrowing time as van operators remained off the roads.

Hundreds of parents who rely on vans as means to reach their children school had to face tough situation when van operators refused to move ahead.

Some of the major roads which witnessed traffic snarl at around 7 am and 1.30 pm due to rush of parents and students included Bistupur Roundabout, Baug-E-Jamsheed roundabout, Jusco Roundabout, Voltas Roundabout, Sakchi Roundabout, JNAC roundabout (in Sakchi), R D Tata Roundabout (in Golmuri).

It may be mentioned that since past two weeks, the traffic police along the district transport department are taking stern steps in preventing overloading of school vans in the city. The police have also seized several vans during the search.

The police are acting against the van operators after receiving regular complains of city school vans being packed with students — their bags tied on the roof of the vehicles.

According to officials of transport department in order to garner more returns the van operators take in large number of children opposite to the capacity of the vans. This may result to a major accident any time. This is the prime reason they have acted against them.

“Earlier the department created pressure on us to get commercial registrations of vans and now when we are being harassed in the name of overloading. We cannot survive in such conditions,” said another van operator.

Ahmed Khan, another van operator said, “We are poor lot of people and rely on school children for our daily bread. If the transport department would limit the number of children to be traveled then it would be difficult for us to survive

Prior to this, as the day started parents were seen carrying children on their personal vehicles. While many complained against the attitude of the van operators there were few who voiced support to the operators.

“I am shocked to hear their decision. The van operators have refused to carry our children. I have no choice but to carry my daughters to Sacred Heart Covent School on my bike, said Shailendra Singh, a resident of Sakchi.

Traffic police are also not affected by the school vans strike. “We will continue the crackdown against the overloading. We have also deputed adequate force to control traffic jam on road,” said traffic police official.

East Singhbhum deputy commissioner, Amit Kumar said that they will not bow down to pressure tactics of auto operators.