Udupi: Udupi MLA Yashpal Suvarna visited a private hospital in Manipal on Friday to meet students injured in the recent private school bus accident near Kodange Temple. During his visit, he enquired about the condition of the injured children, interacted with doctors and parents, and called for stricter enforcement of school transport safety regulations.
The visit came a day after several students sustained minor injuries when their school bus veered off the road and fell into a roadside ditch near Kodange Temple in Manipal.
MLA enquires about students’ health
Yashpal Suvarna visited the hospital where the injured students were undergoing treatment and met them individually.
He also spoke with the attending doctors to understand the students’ medical condition and interacted with parents accompanying the children.
The MLA wished the injured students a speedy recovery and assured their families that all necessary assistance would be extended if required.
According to the school management, none of the students suffered serious injuries, and all received prompt medical attention after the accident.
Raises concern over school bus safety
Expressing concern over the increasing number of school bus accidents in the district, Suvarna said three such incidents had been reported in the Udupi urban area within the past month.
He stressed that ensuring the safety of schoolchildren should be treated as a priority and called for strict adherence to all regulations governing school transport.
The MLA urged the Transport Department, Police Department, Education Department and the managements of educational institutions to ensure that safety norms are implemented without exception.
He emphasised that preventive measures and regular inspections are essential to minimise the risk of accidents involving school buses.
Calls for coordinated action
Suvarna said coordinated efforts by government departments and school authorities are necessary to improve the safety of student transportation.
He urged the authorities to regularly monitor the fitness of school buses, verify compliance with transport regulations and ensure that drivers and staff follow prescribed safety standards.
The MLA also appealed to educational institutions to review their transport systems and strengthen safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
BJP leaders accompany MLA
Several BJP leaders accompanied Yashpal Suvarna during the hospital visit.
Those present included Udupi City BJP president Dinesh Amin, secretary Gururaj Bhandary, BJP Yuva Morcha president Srivatsa, office-bearer Nithin Pai and other party members.
The visit concluded with the MLA reiterating his hope for the speedy recovery of all the injured students and his appeal for stronger enforcement of school transport safety norms across the district.