Punjab inspects 1,842 school buses, challans 526 ahead of school reopening
Chandigarh: As schools across Punjab prepare to reopen after the summer vacation, the Punjab Government has intensified the enforcement of its Safe School Vehicle Policy, with 526 school buses challaned and three impounded during a statewide inspection drive conducted in April and May.
Sharing details of the campaign, Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government is committed to ensuring that every school-going child travels in a safe, secure and reliable vehicle.
The Minister said 1,842 school buses were inspected across the state during the first two months of the 2026–27 financial year as part of a comprehensive drive to enforce road safety norms for vehicles transporting students.
During the inspections, 526 buses were found violating prescribed safety standards and were issued challans, while three buses were impounded on the spot for serious safety violations and failure to comply with mandatory regulations.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said district administrations have been conducting regular inspections under the Safe School Vehicle Policy to ensure that school transport vehicles meet all prescribed safety requirements. With educational institutions resuming classes in July, all district authorities have been instructed to further intensify enforcement to ensure every school vehicle is roadworthy and fully compliant with safety norms.
Reiterating the government’s zero-tolerance approach, the Minister said no compromise would be made on children’s safety and strict action would continue against those violating the policy.
“The safety of our children is non-negotiable. Every child has the right to travel safely to school and return home safely. The Punjab Government is fully committed to achieving this objective through the strict implementation of the Safe School Vehicle Policy,” she said.
Dr. Baljit Kaur also appealed to school managements, transport operators and parents to cooperate with the administration by ensuring that only vehicles meeting all mandatory safety standards are used to transport students.
The state government said the intensified enforcement drive is aimed at preventing accidents, improving compliance with transport regulations and ensuring a safer commute for thousands of schoolchildren across Punjab.
