357 buses remain uncertified and are currently barred from operation until they meet safety norms No school or college vehicle without a valid fitness certificate will be allowed on the roads C. Ramesh, RTA Joint Transport Commissioner 

■ State-wide, over 25,000 educational institution buses are undergoing similar inspections

■ Rangareddy and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts have 13,351 school and college buses

■ 166 buses over 15 years old were flagged and disqualified due to safety risks

ekalavya mallepalli | Hyderabad 

With schools in Hyderabad set to reopen next week, the Road Transport Authority (RTA) has intensified its fitness inspections of school and college buses to ensure student safety. The fitness drive, which began on May 15, has gained momentum as authorities work to certify all vehicles before classes resume. 

In Hyderabad district alone, out of 1,249 registered school buses, 982 have cleared the mandatory fitness test, reflecting a 71% compliance rate. However, 357 buses remain uncertified and are currently barred from operation until they meet safety norms.

The ongoing inspection campaign also covers Rangareddy and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts, with a total of 13,351 school and college buses under scrutiny. In Medchal-Malkajgiri, more than 4,400 out of 6,200 buses have passed the fitness checks, according to District Transport Officer M. Raghunandan Goud. Additionally, 166 buses over 15 years old were flagged and disqualified due to safety risks. 

RTA Joint Transport Commissioner C. Ramesh has emphasized that no school or college vehicle without a valid fitness certificate will be allowed on the roads. This strict enforcement follows previous incidents involving unfit school buses, including a tragic case where a four-year-old girl died, prompting the seizure of 15 vehicles. 

To ensure thorough inspections, the RTA has deployed six dedicated teams in the Hyderabad zone. These teams are rigorously checking crucial safety aspects, including brake performance, tyre condition, emergency exits, and first-aid kits to verify availability and completeness. Pollution control compliance is also being assessed to ensure emissions stay within permissible limits.

Additionally, fire extinguishers are being checked for accessibility and usability, and driver qualifications are reviewed to confirm valid licenses and experience. Inspectors are also assessing bus structure integrity, verifying body strength and window safety to prevent accidents. 

A key focus of the inspections includes the presence and proper adjustment of convex and concave mirrors on buses. Convex mirrors provide a wide-angle view to minimize blind spots, helping drivers detect surrounding vehicles and pedestrians. Concave mirrors, though less common on buses, are also checked for proper alignment in areas where magnified views may aid visibility. These mirrors play a vital role in preventing accidents, especially in school zones with high foot traffic. 

Statewide, over 25,000 educational institution buses are undergoing similar inspections. Transport Minister Ponnam Prabhakar has instructed officials to grant fitness certificates only to vehicles that also support road safety awareness programs, urging all educational institutions to take an active role in ensuring student safety.