Chandigarh, December 22
Giving top priority to the safety of school children, the Punjab Government has issued necessary instructions to prevent untoward incidents caused by dense fog during the winter season. In this regard, Punjab’s Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur, has directed the strict implementation of the Safe School Vehicle Policy across the state.
Dr. Kaur stated that Punjab Government is fully committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of children. She emphasized that it is the clear policy of the Mann Government that every child must commute safely from home to school and back. Accordingly, all safety norms related to school vehicles are being enforced rigorously during the foggy winter months.
The Minister informed that under the Transport Department’s Safe School Vehicle Policy, regular checking of school vehicles will be conducted throughout the state and strict compliance with all prescribed norms will be ensured to avoid any kind of mishap.
Highlighting key safety measures, Dr. Kaur said that during foggy conditions, ensuring proper visibility, reducing vehicle speed, using reflectors, and keeping headlights and fog lights switched on have been made mandatory. Clear instructions in this regard have been issued to school managements and vehicle drivers.
Dr. Kaur further directed schools that no undue pressure should be put on drivers if school vehicles get delayed due to fog. Instead, the prevailing conditions should be understood, and the safety of children and staff travelling in school vehicles must be given utmost priority. The Punjab Government, she asserted, will not compromise on the safety of children under any circumstances.
