The Maharashtra government has mandated GPS tracking systems, panic buttons, fire suppression sprinklers, and CCTV cameras in private and school buses from the academic year 2025-26. The state transport department is set to announce the new school children's transport policy to ensure the safety of students travelling by bus to school.
A retired transport officer, Jitendra Patil, led a committee that has been appointed to frame rules and guidelines. The committee will submit its report within a month. The government took these steps after multiple incidents and parents' complaints regarding the functioning of school buses operated by various institutions across the state.
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Taking into the consideration, the state transport department recently held an important meeting to address these issues and to ensure the safety of children in school buses. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik said that the new school bus policy are being introduced in repones to concerns raised by parents, reported The Indian Express.
According to the report, the state transport department will review the committee’s recommendations before finalising the regulations. Once implemented, schools and bus operators will be required to comply with these safety measures to continue operating.