Gurugram, August 26: In response to heavy monsoon rains causing flooding and traffic issues, the district administration has taken special measures to ensure the safety of school children. The chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority and Deputy Commissioner Uttam Singh convened a meeting of the inter-departmental coordination committee to address the challenges faced by school buses after the rainfall.
The Deputy Commissioner issued detailed guidelines for the safe operation of school buses, emphasizing that the safety of children is the top priority and that any negligence will not be tolerated. As per the district administration’s directives, Gurugram Traffic Police will provide real-time updates on flooding conditions along school routes to the schools.
Regular reports will be issued at 5:30 AM, 10:30 AM, and 12:30 PM during rain or weather warnings. Additionally, if sudden flooding or obstructions occur on any route, a flash update must be issued within 30 minutes. All schools have been instructed not to operate school buses on declared flooded routes and to utilize safe alternative routes when available.
If no safe alternative is available, students will be kept under staff supervision on school premises, and parents will be notified immediately. In cases of heavy rainfall, student dismissals will also be staggered.
The administration has made it clear that no child will be left at flooded or unsafe bus stops. Children will only be handed over to their parents or authorized guardians. Each school bus must have a staff escort and adequate drinking water. Bus drivers have been instructed not to take buses through flooded routes and underpasses. In case of any route or timing changes, schools must inform parents in advance via SMS or school apps.
The DCP Traffic has been directed to deploy traffic personnel, towing vehicles, and PCR vehicles as needed at sensitive locations. Priority will be given to the safe movement of school buses from 7 AM to 9 AM and from 12 PM to 3 PM. The administration has also decided to keep additional Haryana Roadways buses on standby during the rains. If a school bus gets stuck in flooding or breaks down, these buses will assist in safely transporting students to a secure location or back to school.
The administration has reiterated that children will not be left unattended under any circumstances. The District Education Officer and the District Primary Education Officer have been instructed to create a dedicated WhatsApp broadcast group and bulk SMS system within 24 hours, connecting principals and transport in-charges of government, private, aided, and recognized schools. Every report and flash update received from the traffic police must be communicated to all schools within 15 minutes. This arrangement will also apply to schools in Sohna, Pataudi, Manesar, Farrukh Nagar, and Badshahpur.
According to the guidelines, each school must appoint a transport in-charge or route safety officer. During rains, students will not be gathered in basements or other lower areas. Schools must ensure regular checks of electrical panels and exposed wires on their premises. The GMDA, Gurugram Municipal Corporation, Manesar Municipal Council, HSVP, PWD, NHAI, and Haryana Roadways have been instructed to prioritize drainage work around school bus routes and school gates. Relevant officials will be present in identified flooded areas during and after the rains.
Additionally, Haryana Roadways has been directed to provide a list of additional buses and drivers along with their deployment locations to the administration within 48 hours. The Deputy Commissioner has assigned ADC Sonu Bhatt the responsibility of monitoring compliance with these directives. He will hold review meetings every Friday with officials from the traffic police, education department, GMDA, Haryana Roadways, and municipal corporation.
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