Amritsar: To curb dangerous commuting practices, the Amritsar district administration has banned the overcrowding of school children in auto-rickshaws and other private vehicles. The new mandate requires all transport operators to strictly adhere to the seating capacity prescribed under motor vehicle norms.
The order follows concerns raised by the public and traffic officials regarding the “life-threatening” nature of overloaded vehicles. Additional District Magistrate Rupinder Pal Singh declared that the measure is necessary to maintain traffic discipline and prevent avoidable tragedies involving young students.
“No vehicle or auto-rickshaw driver in the district will be allowed to transport schoolchildren beyond the approved seating capacity,” the official order affirmed. The administration asserted that previous warnings had been largely ignored by many operators, necessitating a formal legal intervention.
Beyond enforcement, the administration has urged a collaborative approach. Headmasters have been asked to ensure that parents are fully aware of the risks involved in sending children in packed vehicles. Officials stated that the involvement of schools is a critical component in changing the current transport culture.
The ban is scheduled to last through the spring term, ending on May 6. Officials maintained that the safety of children remains a non-negotiable priority and that traffic police have been authorized to penalize violators found on the city’s roads.
