Chennai: 12 of 89 school buses inspected declared unfit

CHENNAI: KK Nagar and Valasaravakkam regional transport officials on Tuesday cancelled the fitness certificates of 12 buses of the 89 they inspected at Government Arts College for Men, Nandanam, on Tuesday. The vehicles did not meet the safety standards prescribed under the Tamil Nadu Motor Vehicles (Regulation and Control of School Bus) Special Rules, 2012.
Many vehicles were found with improper emergency doors and no first aid boxes. Those which had first aid boxes, had stocked expired medicines. "The violations were minor. The rest of the conditions were complied with," said M Sreedharan, regional transport officer, south west, Valasaravakkam.
As per the rules, inspectors had prepared a list of 22 parameters that must be present in a school bus. The vehicles should be made of steel, painted in yellow and doors must have safe locking besides proper emergency exit. White reflective tapes should be pasted in the front, red in the rear and yellow along the sides. The vehicles must have two fire extinguishers, a first aid box, floor boards, three window grills with an intermediate gap of 10 mm, bag racks, cabin for drivers, driver details and the attender details. Driver must have an experience of five years.
Officials said overall the vehicles were found to be fit but only minor details required attention.
"The drivers have been given one week's time to repair and appear before the authorities for further inspection," said V T Suresh Kumar, motor vehicle inspector.
On Sunday, Meenambakkam RTO officials had cancelled certificates of six buses. The fitness test is conducted annually ahead of reopening of schools in the city. In all, 13 RTOs in the city have been allotted inspection dates.