Allahabad High Court Directs Comprehensive Safety Measures Following Reports of Structural Hazards and Misconduct in School Transport
In a landmark decision aimed at safeguarding the well-being of school children, the Allahabad High Court has issued a series of directives to address serious safety concerns in educational institutions across Uttar Pradesh. The judgment comes in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by the Gomti River Bank Residents against the State of U.P., highlighting both structural and non-structural dangers that jeopardize the safety of thousands of students.
Presiding over the case, Justices Alok Mathur and Brij Raj Singh emphasized the urgent need for immediate actions to mitigate risks posed by high tension electricity lines running over approximately 4000 schools in the region. The court has directed the U.P. Power Corporation Ltd. to become a party to the litigation and to provide necessary inputs and actions to ensure these hazards are effectively managed.
The judgment also addressed the alarming state of school infrastructures, citing incidents of collapsing buildings and gates, which have already resulted in tragic accidents. A particularly distressing incident involved the collapse of a school gate, resulting in the death of an eight-year-old boy in Lucknow. The court underscored the critical need for state agencies to act promptly to make educational environments safe for children.
Furthermore, the court has taken a strong stance on the safety of school transportation. Concerns have been raised about the sexual harassment of minors by school bus and van drivers. A police verification exercise revealed that 527 out of 2370 drivers had adverse records under "Mission Bharosa". The court has suggested the consideration of employing female drivers to enhance the safety of children and mandated strict adherence to the U.P. Motor Vehicle Rules for the verification of transport personnel.
Traffic management around schools was another focal point of the court's directives. The installation of CCTV cameras at school entry points has been mandated to monitor and manage traffic more effectively, with cost estimates and implementation plans to be submitted in the coming sessions.
The judgment has prompted a comprehensive review of safety protocols in schools, with a preliminary report indicating varied compliance levels. The court has taken these findings into account and expects a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to be finalized soon, aiming for consistent safety standards across educational institutions.
This ruling marks a pivotal step in ensuring the safety and security of school environments in Uttar Pradesh, with the court setting a follow-up hearing on August 18, 2026, to review the progress of these directives.
Bottom Line:
Public Interest Litigation - Structural and non-structural safety concerns in educational institutions and transportation of school children - Directions issued to ensure safety measures and compliance.
Statutory provision(s):
U.P. Motor Vehicle Rules, Section 222(b)
Gomti River Bank Residents v. State of U.P., (Allahabad)(DB)(Lucknow) : Law Finder Doc id # 2953217
