Panaji, 18 August: Raising serious concerns over the safety of schoolchildren travelling in buses operated by the Kadamba Transport Corporation Limited (KTCL), social and RTI activist Sudip Narayan Tamhankar has served a formal notice on the Goa Chief Secretary, alleging large-scale non-compliance with mandatory school bus safety norms.

In his notice dated August 17, 2026, Tamhankar has claimed that as many as 98 KTCL buses are being used for transporting schoolchildren despite allegedly failing to comply with various safety requirements prescribed under the Goa Government’s School Bus Guidelines and guidelines of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

He has warned that if the State Government fails to initiate corrective action within 15 days, he would approach the Bombay High Court at Goa through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) or appropriate writ proceedings.

According to the notice, the alleged violations had earlier been brought to the attention of authorities through representations dated December 8, 2025, March 23, May 6 and May 29, 2026. Tamhankar has alleged that despite repeated representations, the deficiencies have not been adequately addressed.

Serious safety deficiencies alleged

Among the violations highlighted in the notice are the alleged absence of mandatory visual identification required for school buses, including the prescribed colour scheme and prominent “School Bus” markings on the front and rear.

Tamhankar has also raised questions over the installation and functioning of speed governors. The notice further alleges deficiencies such as absence of horizontal safety grills on windows, low-level doors with reliable locking arrangements and storage facilities for school bags.

Concerns have also been raised over personnel deployed on school transport duties. The notice alleges shortcomings relating to prescribed driving experience and clean driving records, verification of medical fitness and availability of qualified female attendants where girl students are transported.

It further alleges deficiencies in maintaining required logbooks containing details such as student manifests, emergency contacts and route permits.

‘Ordinary stage-carriage buses being used’

One of the major allegations in the notice is that KTCL is deploying standard stage-carriage commercial buses for school duties without fulfilling the specific body-design and safety requirements applicable to school buses.

Tamhankar has cited provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Central Motor Vehicles Rules and AIS-063 safety standards while questioning the legality of operating such vehicles for transportation of schoolchildren.

The activist has also questioned the role of the Directorate of Transport, alleging failure of regulatory enforcement against the State-owned corporation.

Children’s right to safety invoked

The notice has sought to place the issue beyond mere technical compliance, arguing that transportation of children in allegedly unsafe vehicles raises concerns under Article 21 of the Constitution relating to the right to life and personal liberty.

It also refers to Article 21-A concerning the right to education and argues that safe access to educational institutions forms an important component of children’s ability to exercise that right.

Tamhankar has further referred to Article 39(f), which calls upon the State to ensure that children are provided opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and are protected from exploitation and abandonment.

Three major demands before government

Tamhankar has demanded that the Chief Secretary issue immediate directions to the Managing Director of KTCL to ground all school-duty buses that fail to meet the prescribed safety parameters until they are made compliant.

He has also demanded that the Directorate of Transport conduct random and stringent field inspections of all KTCL vehicles deployed on school trips and initiate appropriate action wherever violations are detected.

The third major demand is for the government to submit a compliance report within 15 days, detailing the corrective measures and roadmap adopted to address the alleged deficiencies.

PIL warning if no action in 15 days

The notice warns that failure by the State administration to enforce compliance or issue necessary corrective directions within 15 days would leave Tamhankar with no alternative but to approach the Bombay High Court at Goa by way of a PIL or writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution.

The notice assumes significance as the allegations concern vehicles entrusted with the daily transportation of schoolchildren and directly raise questions about enforcement of safety regulations by both KTCL and the Transport Department.

The State Government, KTCL and Transport Department’s response to the allegations was not available in the documents provided. The alleged violations therefore remain claims made by Tamhankar and would require verification by the competent authorities.

The central question now is whether the government will order an immediate safety audit of the 98 buses identified in the notice, or allow the dispute to reach the High Court.