Speeding buses, packed vans endanger schoolchildren across Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 4: The growing menace of reckless driving by school buses and overcrowded private vans in Kashmir has sparked serious concern among parents and road safety experts.

Despite repeated warnings and occasional enforcement drives, unsafe transport practices continue to put the lives of schoolchildren at daily risk.

Across the Valley, school buses are often seen speeding through highways and city roads in violation of safety norms, raising doubts about the functioning of speed governors installed in these vehicles.

Meanwhile, private vans and auto-rickshaws hired by parents routinely carry children far beyond their seating capacity, offering neither seatbelts nor adequate seating arrangements.

This unsafe trend has turned routine commutes into perilous journeys. Overcrowding, rash driving, and absence of safety checks remain persistent issues despite multiple government advisories and public appeals.

For years, such unregulated vehicles have been a common sight across Srinagar and other towns, transporting children without proper supervision. While the Traffic Department occasionally conducts drives, a sustained regulatory mechanism is missing, allowing the problem to persist.

When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic City) Aijaz Ahmad was unavailable for comment.

Education Minister Sakina Itoo acknowledged that instances of rash driving by school buses and overloading in vans have raised legitimate safety concerns. “Parents also have a role to play. They should raise these issues with the school management instead of remaining silent,” she told Greater Kashmir.

She noted that parents often witness vans overloaded with small children but fail to intervene. “Even during Parent-Teacher Meetings, the issue is rarely discussed. Many prefer to complain later instead of taking it up directly with schools,” she said.

The Minister added that schools have been advised to hire J&K SRTC buses to ensure safe transport, but several institutions continue to rely on private operators. “After the Handwara college bus accident, we issued strict guidelines on driver hiring and vehicle safety. We urge both schools and parents to ensure that these are followed,” she said.

Observers say the situation demands immediate attention and a coordinated approach involving schools, parents, and enforcement agencies to ensure that children travel safely. Without consistent monitoring and accountability, the risk on Kashmir’s roads will continue to loom large.