KOZHIKODE: More than 10 students precariously transported in one small auto rickshaw or an overcrowded mini-van has become a very common scene in the city since schools reopened for the new academic year. The school authorities and the district administration are turning a blind eye to this situation by saying these vehicles cannot be controlled as they are privately hired vehicles by the parents themselves. According to sources, 4310 auto rickshaws are plying through the city limit alone in addition to the 30,000 autos plying in rural areas, of which nearly 850 such vehicles transport students from schools.
In spite of the order from the Motor Vehicle department that no auto rickshaws should take more than 6 children, nearly 10 children are crammed into a single auto, said Narendran N.J., a city resident. Authorities seemed to take action only when there were serious accidents, he added. “Not just the drivers even the owners of the vehicles involved in such violations will be booked and stringent action will also be taken against school authorities, who are equally responsible for ensuring the safety of students while leaving the institution to go back home”, said Regional Transport Officer C.J. Paulson. Officials stated that they would first start off with a warning and penalty.
Repeat offenders would be issued a show-cause notice and their permits would be cancelled. Reiterating their demand for the ‘10-in-one’ norm, leaders of the auto drivers association here alleged that 16-seater vans were carrying more than 30 children, but the Government never bothered to take action against them. Vans, too, were prone to accidents and not the three-wheelers alone, they reasoned. “Many times, people travelling in overcrowded KSRTC buses get injured in road accidents. Will the Government ban them or seize them?” they asked. As part of curbing such violations by overloaded vehicles, MVD will hold a meeting soon to evolve a school-wise plan of action with regard to the safety of the children in the wake of the series of road accidents leading to their death.
