214 schools get notices over parking chaos on roads

“We have issued notices to remaining schools. The aim is not to punish them. Few schools do not have enough space for parking. We want the school authorities to realise their responsibility so that there is no traffic congestion around schools,” he said,adding that stern action is being planned against schools that are not making parking arrangements in spite of having enough space.

Patil said,“Authority of a reputed school in Camp,which has enough space,replied us that they would allow parking of only their school buses and staff vehicles on the premises. The school authorities said they were not bothered about the vehicles of the parents of the students. They even asked traffic police to take any action that they felt against the vehicle owners.”

“The attitude has to be changed. Our staff will keep visiting the schools for the next two months talking to teachers and principals. We want the schools to take responsibility of children’s safety,” he said.

In a survey conducted by the department six months ago,traffic congestion around schools due to the unavailability of parking space in and around schools resulted in 60 accidents out of which 19 were fatal. The department has divided schools under three categories — schools with parking lots,schools without parking lots and schools which have space and yet do not allow parking space.