Patna: The Bihar Transport Department has decided to ban the use of autos and e-rickshaws for transporting school children across the state from April. This move comes in response to the rising number of accidents involving such vehicles. Once implemented, schools will no longer be allowed to use autos or e-rickshaws to ferry children. The new rule will also make it illegal for public transport auto or e-rickshaw drivers to carry schoolchildren.
Patna DTO Upendra Kumar Pal stated that autos are not a safe mode of transport for children, as they are often overloaded, putting lives at risk. Patna Traffic SP reiterated the illegality of using autos for school transport and confirmed that strict action would be taken against violators when schools reopen after the winter vacation. Currently, around 4,000 autos transport children to schools in Patna district alone, despite safety concerns.
Incidents of overloading are common, with auto drivers cramming five to seven children into vehicles meant for three passengers. In November, a tragic accident in Bihta resulted in the death of four schoolchildren when an overloaded auto collided with a truck. Such incidents underscore the urgent need for stricter regulations.
Health experts have also raised concerns about the impact of auto travel on children’s health. Dr. Diwakar Tejasvi noted that the jolts experienced in autos can harm children’s delicate bones, affecting their neck and spine. Seasonal risks, such as exposure to cold in winter and heatstroke in summer, add to the dangers. Autos are neither safe nor suitable for young students.
Transport and auto unions have also supported the decision. Raj Kumar Jha, general secretary of the All India Road Transport Workers Federation, and Pappu Yadav, president of the Auto Rickshaw Drivers Union, acknowledged that three-wheelers are not safe for schoolchildren and welcomed the initiative.
The Transport Department highlighted the need for this ban to prevent accidents, especially in rural areas where dilapidated autos are commonly used to carry children. In the Patna Municipal Corporation area alone, about 1,000 autos transport schoolchildren, none of which hold a valid school permit. Most operate on passenger permits, further compromising safety. The department aims to ensure safer alternatives like buses and vans are used for school transportation.
