New Delhi : Eminent road safety experts and stake holders from Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, state transport departments, CBSE, NCERT, Ministry of Human resources, Schools and Fleet Operators taking part in the Two day conference on ‘Formulation of Draft Policy for the Safety of Transporting School Children’ which concluded here today have stressed on the need of a  comprehensive National Policy for Safe Mobility of School Children using all modes of transportation which plugs the gaps and provides solution safe transport to school children in the country.

“ The proposed policy on safe school transport  should stablish a simple, robust, cost-effective system including proper school bus design and maintenance, sound driver qualifications and continual training, as well as a regulatory framework are some of the key factors for a safer school transport system, said a new World Bank paper which offers recommendations on how to ensure the safety of children in school buses based on examples and best practices from other countries.” said Dr Rohit Baluja, President ,Institute of Road Traffic Education (IRTE) while releasing the recommendations

“The interest of providing safe school transport is in line with the existing government strategies of ‘Education Priority’ and ‘People Orientation’. By using these platforms to pursue improvements to school buses, vans and other modes of transport , drivers, and the regulatory framework in combination with more vigorous enforcement of traffic laws, emphasis on sustainable financing, and heightened public awareness, India is poised to make a breakthrough in the provision of safe school transport.” Said Dr Baluja.

“The school transport draft policy document is not only for India but both for India and South East Asia to incorporate the following domains: roles and responsibility, road environment, vehicle factors, standard operating procedures as well as the curriculum of training of important stakeholders dealing with the transportation of school children in all modes of transport including both motorised and non-motorised means, enforcement, and post-crash management.” He added.

“The school transport policy should be granted permission to operate only if they formally accept, adopt and implement this policy. The policy should be publicised and be made available free of cost for all schools to adopt.  There is a  need to develop a robust system of gathering all types of data regarding accidents, modes of transportation and other demographic factors involving school going children and school transportation. “ Dr Baluja Said.

“While AIS Standards for School- bus bodies have been legislated in April 2019, there is an urgent need to define the standards for other motorised and non-motorised means of school transportation. These include vans, mini-vans, auto rickshaws, and E-Rickshaws “ he added .

Some of the eminent participants at the conference will include Mr Abhay Damle, Joint Secretary, MoRTH, Mr Sudeep Lakhtakia, Bureau of Police research & development, , Dr Robert Nowak, UNECE, Ms Jo fung, Transport Division, UNESCAP, Mr Pemba Wangchuk, Bhutan Road Safety and Transport authority, ,Mr Saroj Kumar Pradhan, Department of Roads, Nepal, Dr Jae hoon Sul, Korea transport Institute, Dr Sewa Ram, School of Planning and Architecture, Mr M S Upadhye, Chief Security Commissioner, Metro Rail (DMRC) .