Bombay HC asks government to strictly implement CSA rules

Mumbai: The Bombay high court recently directed the Maharashtra government and ministry of transportation to ensure that proper care and caution is exercised to avoid or to stop vehicles, which do not come within the Common Standard Agreement (CSA) guidelines. The CSA rules hold schools and vehicle owners responsible for the safety of children who use school buses and vans.

The division bench of chief justice Manjula Chellur and justice G.S. Kulkarni passed the order while hearing PIL filed by PTA United Forum through advocate Rama Subramaniam. The PIL sought strict enforcement of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules 1989, which defines what a ‘school bus is’. The petition said that implementing the rules would secure the safety of children using school buses and vans.

The petitioner requested the court to direct concerned department to ensure that all vehicle operators, intending to transport school children have entered into CSA. The court also asserted that the vehicle operators should indicate the route of the school bus while acquiring the permits for transporting school children. The court said that even the BEST/MSRTC buses must adhere to safety regulations and obtain special permits for transporting school children.

It also asked concerned department to ensure that no fresh school bus permits are issued to any vehicle with less than the seating capacity of 14 (including the driver) as stipulated by the central government in its notification.