In a decisive move to tackle persistent traffic chaos and enhance safety for students, the Lucknow Police has issued a directive to all schools within the city. The authorities have mandated that every educational institution must prepare and submit a detailed traffic management action plan by January 10.
High-Level Meeting Sets Deadline
The crucial decision emerged from a high-level meeting chaired by Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Babloo Kumar. The meeting, which included nodal officers from schools, additional deputy commissioners of police, and assistant commissioners of police (traffic), was convened specifically to implement court-ordered measures for streamlining traffic flow and safeguarding schoolchildren during peak hours.
Officials emphasized that the action plans must focus on managing vehicle movement during school opening and closing times, reducing roadside congestion, and creating safer pedestrian zones for students. Schools that have lagged in taking adequate steps were explicitly instructed to develop structured plans and ensure strict compliance, stated JCP Kumar.
Key Directives for Schools and Parents
The police have outlined several non-negotiable requirements for the traffic management plans. A central directive is the appointment of a dedicated traffic nodal officer by each school. This officer will be responsible for regulating traffic outside the school premises throughout the school day, particularly during arrival and dispersal hours.
Furthermore, schools are required to install a centralised public announcement system to make real-time announcements for managing traffic and guiding student movement when necessary. To clear roads near gates, the police have ordered that parking for staff and parents' vehicles must be confined to designated parking spaces inside the school premises. Roadside parking near entrances is to be strictly prohibited.
Special Measures for Younger Students
Special attention has been directed towards the safety of younger children. For students up to class 5, especially those arriving in groups of five or more via school vans, schools must ensure safe drop-off and pick-up inside the school campus under proper supervision.
Recognizing space constraints, the police have also provided a solution for schools lacking in-house parking. Such institutions have been instructed to identify suitable nearby locations and formally develop them as temporary or permanent parking zones to prevent congestion on public roads.
Encouraging Systemic Change
Beyond infrastructure and planning, the initiative also aims to change commuting behavior. JCP Kumar revealed that school managements have been advised to actively encourage parents to use official school buses or authorised vans for their children's daily commute. This shift is seen as critical to reducing the volume of private vehicles that contribute significantly to peak-hour snarls around educational institutions.
The January 10 deadline underscores the urgency with which the Lucknow Police is treating the issue of student safety and traffic decongestion. This comprehensive order places the onus on school administrations to become active partners in creating a safer and more orderly environment for their students and the city at large.
