The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) of Kerala has dismissed as baseless the media reports suggesting that it advised parents not to send their children to school in autorickshaws. In an official clarification, the department stated that no such directive was issued and the reports were factually incorrect.
MVD Clarifies Stance on Autorickshaws for School Transport
Authorities emphasized that autorickshaws are permitted to transport schoolchildren, provided they comply with existing laws, safety regulations, and passenger limits. The MVD clarified that there were no changes to the current rules governing school transportation. It urged the public to rely only on official communications and refrain from spreading misinformation.
The clarification follows media reports suggesting that the MVD had instructed parents to use only school buses for transporting children and to avoid sending them in autorickshaws. While rejecting these claims, the department reiterated that autorickshaws must not carry children beyond the legally permitted capacity. It warned that overcrowding could lead to accidents and pose serious safety risks.
Automated Vehicle Testing Stations to Be Launched
Meanwhile, Transport Minister C P John announced that 28 automated vehicle testing stations (AVTS) would soon be established across Kerala to modernize vehicle fitness inspections. Addressing the passing-out parade of the 17th batch of assistant motor vehicle inspector trainees at the Police Training College in Thycaud, he said each district would have two automated vehicle testing stations equipped with machine-controlled systems and supported through outsourced operations.
The minister stated that the initiative marks a significant shift towards a more transparent, efficient, and scientific vehicle fitness assessment system in the state. The new stations are expected to streamline the testing process and reduce human intervention, thereby minimizing corruption and errors. The move is part of the government's broader efforts to enhance road safety and ensure that all vehicles on the road meet required standards.
