Mangaluru: The School Development and Monitoring Committee (SDMC) coordination committee has raised serious concerns over widespread violations by school transport vehicles across Dakshina Kannada. In a written complaint to the Regional Transport Office (RTO), the committee urged authorities to crack down on unsafe practices endangering students.
Acting on the complaint, the Mangaluru East traffic police booked 49 vehicles for violating transport norms and collected fines totaling ₹9,800. Similar complaints have been registered with other police stations across the district.
Mohiuddin Kutty, president of the SDMC coordination committee, highlighted that overloading is a routine issue, particularly in rural areas. “I’ve personally seen autorickshaws carrying 10–12 children, and private school buses packed beyond capacity, forcing students to stand during travel,” he said.
Letters have been sent to all RTO offices in the district, urging consistent enforcement, not just short-term drives. “While police and RTO act on complaints, checks are usually limited to a few days before focus shifts to other violations like helmetless riding or seatbelt checks,” Kutty added.
He also warned that last year saw multiple accidents involving unauthorised and uninsured school vehicles.
A traffic official stated that violations are more prevalent in rural areas, where regulation is weaker. “In city limits, parental awareness and monitoring by school vehicle associations help reduce overloading,” he said, adding that regular drives will resume after monsoon subsides.