Bhubaneswar: In a move to ensure the safety of students, the State Transport Authority (STA), Odisha, issued a directive to all educational institutions to comply with fire safety regulations, on Sunday.
According to Section 125C of the Central Motor Vehicle Rules (CMVR), 1989, all school buses must be equipped with a Fire Detection Alarm System (FDAS), Fire Detection and Suppression System (FDSS), and Fire Alarm Protection System (FAPS). These fire safety systems are crucial for preventing and handling fire incidents and ensuring the safety of students travelling by bus.
Compliance with these fire safety as per AIS 135 under Rule 125C of the Central Motor Vehicle Act, 1989, is mandatory for all school buses.
Amitabh Thakur, Transport Commissioner, has directed all Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) to take stern action against those who fail to comply with the regulations.
To ensure proper implementation, the State Transport Authority has decided to increase the scope of these measures. Zonal Deputy Transport Commissioners and Regional Transport Officers will regularly inspect school buses, and any bus found violating these regulations will face legal action.
Motor vehicle inspectors have also been instructed to ensure compliance within their respective regions and to cancel the fitness certificates of non-compliant buses.
The Transport Commissioner has made it clear that no negligence will be tolerated regarding the safety of young students. A zero-tolerance policy is being implemented, and strict monitoring will be conducted on the fire safety arrangements of school buses.
