With Haryana stepping up enforcement of school bus safety norms throughout 2025, the Gurgaon district has recorded the highest number of school buses checked and challaned in the state this calendar year.
The heightened drive came into sharp focus after Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) O P Singh Monday posted on X about a “sad” incident in Rohtak where at least six children were injured.
“I have directed Rohtak Range IG to immediately go and meet the injured children and ensure proper treatment,” the DGP wrote.
In the same post, he reminded school operators of their responsibility. “This year, police have issued thousands of challans to school buses. It is the duty of school operators to run only fit buses and keep experienced/skilled drivers. Do not forget – they are also under the scanner of investigation.”
During a special eight-day statewide campaign from November 3 to 10, 2025, the Gurgaon traffic police checked 739 school buses and issued 157 challans, with none impounded. As many as 5,516 buses were checked, 1,003 were challaned, and four were impounded across Haryana.
From January to October 2025, 5,984 school buses were checked, and 1,160 were challaned in Gurgaon. Statewide figures for the same period stood at 19,268 buses checked and 4,205 challaned, with the state crossing 25,000 checks and 5,200 challans by early November.
On November 28, under the direction of Dr Rajesh Mohan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), the city traffic police affixed reflective tapes on nearly 300 vehicles, including school buses, to improve night-time visibility during winter fog.
The enforcement and visibility measures follow the Indian Roads Congress’ “Road Safety Manual for Schools” (IRC SP: 32), traffic officials told The Indian Express.
Guidelines for schools
The guidelines define school proximal zones (up to 500 m radius for senior secondary schools on arterial roads), access zones (up to 100 m on either side of school entrances), transition zones (up to 70 m with speed reduction to 30 kmph), prescribe speed limits, and spell out responsibilities of transport authorities, traffic police and school administrations to ensure safe commuting for children.
“These guidelines include what needs to be verified and checked by schools/parents, and police. We have been doing that for years now,” a Gurgaon traffic police spokesperson said.
Under the city traffic police’s safe commute policy, regular awareness programmes are conducted for schools and residents.
“The checks we ask schools to ensure from their end are that the driver is being trained and not driving under the influence, and the vehicle is operating at capacity, has a first aid kit and fitness/registration documents are in order. Schools are also directed to provide pick-and-drop facilities and adequate space for them within their campuses, rather than on the main roads. While dropping younger kids off at school, an employee should be deputed at the time.”
Saroj Dahiya, District Elementary Education Officer, said school buses fall under the purview of the Transport Department for day-to-day operational safety.
“We hold regular review meetings with schools and their transport operators regarding this. Last, we held one on November 25. It is done throughout the year.”
In the same post, he reminded school operators of their responsibility. “This year, police have issued thousands of challans to school buses. (File) 
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