The Allahabad High Court has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to propose measures for improving traffic management around affiliated schools in Lucknow and ensuring compliance with the court’s earlier directions. The court also called for action against schools found violating its orders.
A Division Bench of Justices Alok Mathur and Brij Raj Singh, sitting at the Lucknow Bench, directed a responsible CBSE official to appear before it and explain the steps that could be taken to secure compliance across affiliated institutions.
The directions were issued on Tuesday during the hearing of a public interest litigation filed by the Gomti River Bank Residents Association.
The court noted that CBSE had been made a party to the proceedings specifically to facilitate implementation of its previous directions and enable action against non-compliant schools.
Regular Inspection of School Vehicles Ordered
Addressing student safety, the Bench emphasised the need for continuous monitoring of school transport vehicles rather than inspections conducted as an isolated exercise.
The Deputy Transport Commissioner informed the court that vehicle inspections would continue and that compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act and the rules framed under it would be enforced.
The court stressed that regular inspections were necessary to safeguard children travelling in school vehicles.
DGP Directed to Appoint New Traffic Committee Chairperson
The proceedings also brought to the court’s attention a vacancy in the leadership of a committee constituted to address traffic-related problems in Lucknow.
The Bench was informed that the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), who had been heading the committee, had been transferred.
Consequently, the court directed the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police to nominate a replacement in consultation with the Additional Advocate General.
The new chairperson must be an officer of at least Deputy Commissioner of Police rank. The nomination must be completed within 10 days of submission of a certified copy of the court’s order.
State Gets Additional Time to Submit School Building Plans
The High Court also examined the status of information concerning building plans of schools situated in districts neighbouring Lucknow.
As the required details had not yet been received, the Bench granted the state government another 10 days to furnish them.
Once submitted, the documents will be scrutinised by the Additional Advocate General, his legal team and the amicus curiae. They have been tasked with presenting their findings to the court at the next hearing.
The matter will be taken up again on November 4.
