Other States - Orissa

Court serious on ‘unsafe’ transport of schoolchildren

CUTTACK: The High Court on Tuesday expressed concern over the unsafe manner in which schoolchildren are transported in private vehicles, particularly in autorickshaws. The High Court asked the State government, school authorities and parents as well to spare a thought on this “dangerous” mode of transportation.

Adjudicating over the PIL pertaining to civic problems in the city, the bench of Justice B.P. Das and Justice M.M. Das asked the police authorities to impound those vehicles which are carrying the schoolchildren in unsafe manner. The High Court also clarified that if any accident is reported in future involving transportation of schoolchildren in “unsafe” manner, the State government would be held responsible. It may be mentioned here that similar concerns were expressed by the court about two years ago and for a brief period, things had improved.

The same bench also directed the State government and Cuttack Municipal Corporation (CMC) to implement the mosquito eradication programmes in the city immediately. The direction came when the amicus curie of the court brought to the notice of the court that mosquito menace in the city has already assumed serious proportion.

On protection of water bodies in Cuttack city, the bench was upset as its previous order on the issue has not been implemented in proper spirit.

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