School Bus Inspection Halted Over UNI Number Costs; Student Safety at Risk

The inspection of school buses across the state has come to a standstill due to the high cost associated with obtaining a mandatory Unique Identification Number (UNI) for the speed control systems of buses. This has raised serious concerns regarding the safety of thousands of students commuting daily in potentially unverified vehicles.

As per government norms, a new UNI number is required for the certification of speed control systems in all school buses. Without this certification, buses cannot receive the fitness approval from the Regional Transport Office (RTO). However, due to the cost of ₹10,000 per UNI number, many bus operators have opted not to undergo the inspection process.

According to official records, as of March 31, 2024, there are 36,558 registered school buses in the state. With inspections halted, a large number of these buses may now be operating without valid safety certification, posing a direct threat to student safety.

Drivers are required to submit a speed control system certificate issued by the system manufacturer to the RTO. This step is crucial for obtaining a fitness certificate that permits the bus to operate. The introduction of the costly UNI requirement, however, has made compliance difficult for many operators, leading to a halt in inspections.

Afsar Khan, President of the School Van Drivers Association, voiced the concerns of many drivers: “We cannot afford to pay ₹10,000 for a new UNI number. The transport department should instead update the existing UNI numbers and bring them up to standard.”

This situation has triggered unrest among school bus drivers and growing concern among parents and education officials. The state government and transport department are now under pressure to address the issue and ensure student safety is not compromised.