Question : SCHOOL BUSES

(a) whether there has been no significant improvement in the management and plying of school buses even after directions by the Supreme Court and school children continue to be butchered and injured on the roads;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether there is any limit of standing passengers in the buses;

(d) if so, the details in this regard;

(e) the reasons for not enforcing the law by the police;

(f) whether due to decadent laws rash drivers get away easily; and

(g) if so, the tangible steps proposed to be taken to check these deaths and to award exemplary punishment to the rash drivers?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI S. REGUPATHY)

(a) to (g) : Following the directions of the Supreme Court, Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi has issued a notification under the Delhi Motor Vehicle Rules. This notification covers a number of issues relating to safety of school children travelling in buses owned/hired by schools. Stringent norms have been prescribed in the notification.

As per the instructions issued in compliance of the Supreme Court orders, a bus is permitted to carry school children/ passengers upto 1.5 times of its registered seating capacity.

Delhi Police is strictly enforcing the law and special attention is given to prosecute the errant drivers of the school buses which are found violating the rules/court orders. However, Sections 279, 337, 338 and 304-A of the Indian Penal Code are bailable and punishment is not severe. All possible measures have been initiated to check the accidents of buses carrying the school children/passengers. The Research Cell of Delhi Traffic Police analyses and assess the accident data to adopt strategies focused in terms of enforcement, road engineering improvement or education to prevent the accidents. Besides, Delhi Police takes regular action against errant drivers found involved in rash and negligent driving. As a result of these steps, fatal accidents have come down in the year 2005.