Lucknow: Around 4,089 out of 46,748 (one out of nine) school vehicles, including buses and vans, that were inspected as part of the transport department’s campaign were found violating safety standards.The drive, a part of initiative to ensure students’ safety launched by Yogi Adityanath govt, was carried out between July 1 and July 15.While a total of 67,613 school vehicles are registered in the state, of those inspected, at least 1,768 vehicles had their fitness expired.The drive also saw the department issuing challan to 4,438 vehicles, seizing of 913 vehicles and collection of Rs 88.5 lakh as fine from violators. “Negligence or ignorance of rules in operating school vehicles will not be tolerated. There will be no compromise on the safety of children. All concerned officials, school management, and vehicle operators should take immediate action on this. Strict legal action will be taken against those who violate the rules,” said transport commissioner, UP, Brajesh Narayan Singh.He also directed all RTO-ARTO to conduct a monthly review of school vehicles.The district-level review of the campaign showed Prayagraj, Farrukhabad, Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar, etc., taking effective action, while Mau, Maharajganj, Deoria, Hapur, Siddharth Nagar, etc., were found lagging in enforcement and vehicle checking.The transport commissioner directed the chairman of all divisional transport authorities (DTAs) to immediately seize private vehicles running without a permit, ban the operation of vehicles with expired fitness, and coordinate with the district education department and DM office to take action against schools violating the rules.“All DMs are expected to activate the District School Vehicle Transport Safety Committee constituted in each district and hold regular meetings. Monitor the School Transport Safety Committee and ensure the process of formal affiliation of private vehicles with immediate effect,” said the letter.The transport commissioner also directed all RTOs and ARTOs for a monthly review of documents, safety equipment, police verification of drivers and attendants, and regular health tests of vehicles affiliated with schools in their area.All school managers and principals have been told that they are responsible for every vehicle (bus/van/auto) operated from their school.In case of any accident or criminal incident, school management will be held responsible.Operation of school vehicles must be completely controlled under the strict and clear provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) 1989, and especially the Uttar Pradesh Motor Vehicles Rules (Twenty-sixth Amendment), 2019.