Bhubaneswar, Nov. 29: The state transport department's recent decision to debar autorickshaws and other small vehicles from ferrying schoolchildren has evoked strong resentment among their operators.
Transport officials said that according to the Union ministry's new guidelines, vehicles with seating capacity of less than 13 were not allowed to transport schoolchildren. The guidelines will be implemented in the state from December 1.
Thousands of autorickshaws and other small vehicles today took out a rally from Palasuni to Lower PMG protesting against the decision. Bhubaneswar Autorickshaw Mahasangha's general secretary Padman Kumar Samal said the decision would affect the livelihood of the operators of autorickshaws and small vehicles such as Tata Magic, Omni and Bolero. "We have been asking the autorickshaw operators to adhere to the safety norms while transporting schoolchildren. But if the government bans autorickshaws, it will definitely affect their livelihood," said Samal, adding that around 10,000 autorickshaws and 15,000 small vehicles in the state are currently engaged in transportation of schoolchildren.
In August, the state transport department had come up with a policy on ferrying schoolchildren - in which the department allowed the autorickshaws and other smaller vehicles to transport schoolchildren, but with certain safety standards. According to the policy, the small vehicles need to install safety grills, speed governor (speed limiting device), hangers, fire extinguisher and first aid box. Besides, either 'school van' or 'on school duty' must to be prominently written at the front and rear of the vehicles.
"On September 8, the Union government amended the Motor Vehicle's Act and allowed vehicles with minimum seating capacity of 13 to ferry schoolchildren. We have asked the regional transport officers concerned to sensitise the schools and parents. Shortly, we will start a drive against these vehicles," said State Transport Authority's transport commissioner-cum-chairman Chandra Sekhar Kumar. He also said they had intimated the state government about the small vehicle operators' possible loss of livelihood, and the government would take up the matter with the Centre.
Despite having the option of a school bus, many parents prefer to go for small vans and autos for their door-to-door service. "Often, houses are situated in lanes and bylanes and the school buses would pick and drop the students from a particular point on the main road. Dragging the kids all the way is a hectic task for most of the parents," said Himadri Mohapatra, a parent.
Several other parents also said the new move would create inconvenience for them. "My son is in the kindergarten and reluctant to walk with his bag. It is very difficult for both of us to reach the bus point at the right time so early in the morning. Hence we opted for the private van. The charge is almost same for the both vehicles, so why not opt for a little more convenient service," said Puja Mohanty, another parent.
