Gurgaon Tops Haryana in School Bus Safety Challans This Year
Haryana’s push to enforce stricter school bus safety norms throughout 2025 has placed Gurgaon district at the top of the state’s charts for the highest number of buses checked and challaned. The renewed focus comes amid rising concerns over the safety of children commuting to schools, especially after a recent incident in Rohtak where at least six children were injured.
The issue gained statewide attention when Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) O P Singh posted on X, calling the Rohtak case “sad” and directing senior officials to meet the injured children and ensure proper treatment. In his message, he reminded school operators of their responsibility to maintain fit vehicles and employ trained drivers, warning that they remain under strict scrutiny.
During a special eight-day statewide campaign conducted from November 3 to 10, 2025, Gurgaon traffic police checked 739 school buses and issued 157 challans — none of which were impounded. Across Haryana, the numbers stood at 5,516 buses checked, 1,003 challaned, and four impounded.
From January to October 2025, Gurgaon saw 5,984 school buses checked and 1,160 challans issued. Statewide figures for the same period recorded 19,268 checks and 4,205 challans. By early November, Haryana had crossed 25,000 school bus checks and more than 5,200 challans for the calendar year.
In Gurgaon, traffic police have also taken proactive steps to improve road visibility and safety, particularly ahead of the winter fog season. On November 28, under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Dr Rajesh Mohan, reflective tapes were affixed to nearly 300 vehicles, including school buses.
Officials said the enforcement measures are aligned with the Indian Roads Congress’ “Road Safety Manual for Schools” (IRC SP: 32), which details safety protocols for school zones. The guidelines outline school proximal zones (up to 500 metres for senior secondary schools), access zones (100 metres on either side of school entrances), and transition zones, where speed limits must be reduced to 30 kmph.
A Gurgaon traffic police spokesperson said these checks are not new but part of long-standing efforts to ensure safe commuting for children. Schools are required to verify driver training, ensure vehicles carry first-aid kits, maintain fitness documents, and avoid overcrowding. Schools must also manage pick-and-drop facilities within their campuses instead of on main roads.
Saroj Dahiya, District Elementary Education Officer, noted that school bus safety falls under the Transport Department’s operational jurisdiction. “We regularly meet with schools and transport operators to review compliance. Our latest meeting was held on November 25, and such reviews continue throughout the year,” she said.
With Haryana’s intensified safety push, Gurgaon remains at the forefront, reflecting the state’s ongoing commitment to safer school transportation.
