Nagpur High Court Issues Final Ultimatum to Schools Over Transport Safety Compliance
The Nagpur Bench of the Bombay High Court has taken a firm stance on school transport safety, granting a definitive one-week deadline for city schools to submit comprehensive records of Transport Committee meetings conducted over the past two years. In a stern warning, the court declared that each institution failing to comply will be required to deposit a penalty of ₹50,000 directly into the court.
Court Demands Detailed Vehicle Lists and RTO Accountability
Simultaneously, the division bench comprising Justices Anil Kilor and Raj Wakode has mandated the submission of exhaustive lists detailing all buses and vans utilized for student transportation. This directive emerged during proceedings of a Suo Motu Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which was initiated in the wake of a tragic incident where a schoolchild lost their life after being run over by a bus—a case that has starkly highlighted persistent safety deficiencies in school transport systems.
The court further issued a cautionary note to the Regional Transport Office (RTO), emphasizing the necessity for full adherence to its prior order dated January 16, 2026. Non-compliance will result in the concerned officer being summoned to appear personally before the bench, underscoring the judiciary's commitment to enforcing accountability.
Incomplete Compliance and Alarming Statistics Revealed
Assistant Regional Transport Officer Santoshkumar Katkar, represented by Additional Government Pleader Deepak Thakare, informed the court that affidavits had been filed in alignment with orders from September 13, 2025, and January 16, 2026. However, referencing its February 6 order, the bench pointed out that the list of schools operating buses or vans—whether owned directly or through contractors—remains notably incomplete.
"Despite sufficient time lapsing, the said direction was not complied with," the court observed, expressing dissatisfaction with the progress. According to official data presented by the assistant regional transport officer, a total of 3,690 school buses and vans are currently operational across Nagpur City, East Nagpur, and surrounding rural areas. Of these, a mere 541 vehicles (15%) are owned by the schools themselves, while a substantial 3,149 vehicles (85%) are managed through contractors, raising significant oversight concerns.
Schools' Non-Compliance and Judicial Concerns Over Student Safety
Previously, the RTO was instructed to provide a thorough list of such schools, and respondent schools were directed to file charts of Transport Committee meetings held over the last two years by January 30. Not a single school adhered to this requirement, prompting the court's latest stringent measures.
Highlighting the critical nature of the issue, the bench remarked that the petition fundamentally addresses "the safety of students while commuting to school and returning home." The judges emphasized, "Students' safety in school buses/vans is something we cannot afford to overlook," and added that "schools ought to be more concerned and serious about this issue."
The court recorded that no school appears to be consistently conducting the mandatory Transport Committee meetings, which are required to convene at least once every three months prior to each academic semester. In the absence of submitted documentation, the bench drew a preliminary inference that these meetings have not been held. Counsel for one respondent school admitted that no such meeting had occurred in the past two years, a revelation that left the bench visibly surprised.
Municipal Corporation and Transport Authorities Directed to Enhance Infrastructure
In a related development, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) was directed to file an affidavit outlining designated stoppages for school buses and vans. The NMC submitted photographs demonstrating signage installed at various locations but acknowledged that additional boards are necessary where previous ones have been damaged. The court has requested a clear timeline for replacing outdated signboards and installing new ones to ensure safer transit points.
Transport authorities have now formally submitted a summarized list of schools operating buses and vans under the jurisdiction of the RTO (City and Rural) and the Deputy RTO, Nagpur (East), in compliance with the latest judicial directives. This step marks a move towards greater transparency, yet the court's unwavering deadline underscores the urgent need for systemic improvements to safeguard young commuters.
