‘Start special bus routes to educational institutions’

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice R Hemalatha on holding that the authorities shall ensure that children are not allowed to board overcrowded bus and buses do no ply with children hanging dangerously out of foot board and/or windows, said “The buses operated are obviously not sufficient to meet the demand of the people as could be evident from the photograph, based on which these proceedings have been initiated.” 

“It is said that the government of TN has extended 100 percent free travel to school children in the transport corporation buses. This was imperative to give meaningful effect to the right to education under Article 21A of the Constitution of India. However, merely providing free transport is not enough. The authorities concerned are also required to ensure the safety of Children travelling in buses,” the bench added. 

The first bench had initiated this PIL suo motu pursuant to photographs and news items published in a daily of children hanging dangerously from the food board and even windows of buses operated by one of the public transport corporations. This was brought to the attention of the court by Advocate RY George Williams.

Also, the bench on setting aside the assertion of the Government that MTC is operating 250 special bus services exclusively for women and children daily as controverted by the photograph in the daily, said “The number of buses exclusively for children operating during the school hours would have to be increased. Such buses should be exclusively for school children, the others might only be allowed to board the buses, if there is sufficient space after the children are accommodated. In the event, there is demand from children, they would have to get down to make room for the children for whom the buses are operated.” The transport authority shall also ensure that children do not board over crowded buses in a manner which is risky to their life and personal safety, the bench added.