GURUGRAM: Placing the safety of school children at the utmost priority during the monsoon season, the Gurugram district administration has introduced major regulatory measures. To ensure that students can continue their education without facing weather-related risks, the District Disaster Management Authority and Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh have enforced strict directives regarding the safe operation of school buses. These orders have come into force with immediate effect and will remain active until September 30, 2026, or until further notice. The administration has explicitly stated that school buses will no longer be permitted to ply on routes officially declared as waterlogged. Schools are now mandated to establish safe alternative routes for such areas.
Ban on School Buses Operating Along Waterlogged Routes
If a designated school bus route is deemed unsafe due to severe waterlogging, the vehicle is strictly barred from taking that path. School managements are required to immediately switch to secure alternative pathways. In the event that no safe alternative route is available, the children must be kept safely within the school premises. Under such circumstances, the school administration is obligated to notify the parents or guardians immediately. This administrative action follows a recent incident where a video circulated widely showing school buses submerged in deep rainwater within Gurugram.
Traffic Police to Provide Real-Time Updates
The traffic police department will actively monitor the condition of school bus routes throughout rainy spells. Authorities will supply schools with real-time traffic updates and road status reports, empowering institutions to alter bus routes proactively. The primary objective of the administration is to prevent children from being transported through flooded areas, severe traffic bottlenecks, or other high-risk zones. Additionally, extra buses from Haryana रोडवेज will remain on standby during heavy downpours or IMD weather alerts. If any school bus becomes stranded due to water accumulation, these standby buses will be deployed to safely evacuate the children.
Strict Protocols Regarding Dropping Off Children at Stops
The revised guidelines also introduce stringent protocols concerning where and how children are dropped off after school hours. No child is permitted to be dropped off at a waterlogged or isolated bus stop under any circumstances. Students must be handed over exclusively to their parents or an authorized guardian. This effectively prohibits leaving children unattended or at vulnerable locations during adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, the administration has made it compulsory for every school to appoint a designated transport in-charge or route safety officer. This official will closely supervise bus routes, monitor weather conditions, and oversee the secure transit of students, ensuring full compliance with safety norms.
Prioritizing Drainage Around School Gates and Bus Routes
The administration has issued direct orders to de-watering agencies, instructing them to treat the removal of accumulated water around school gates and established bus pathways as top priority. This measure aims to facilitate secure movement for students traveling to and from educational institutions. These directives issued by the district administration remain in effect through September 30, 2026, or until subsequent orders are passed. The authorities reiterate that keeping children safe from risks posed by heavy rainfall and waterlogging remains a non-negotiable priority throughout the monsoon period.
