Pune Police Caps Auto-Rickshaw Student Limit To Five; CCTV, Female Attendant Now Mandatory In School Buses
Pune Police Caps Auto-Rickshaw Student Limit To Five; CCTV, Female Attendant Now Mandatory In School Buses
Pune, June 12, 2025 — In a major safety push for school-going children, the Pune Police have announced new regulations that restrict auto-rickshaws to carrying a maximum of five students . The move comes amid growing concerns over overcrowded and unsafe student transport, with many rickshaws previously ferrying six to seven children at a time.
The new directive, issued after a District School Transport Safety Committee meeting held at the Police Commissioner’s office on Wednesday, is aimed at curbing dangerous transport practices and enhancing accountability among schools.
School Buses Must Have CCTV, Female Attendant
In addition to the rickshaw cap, the police have also mandated CCTV cameras and a female attendant in all school buses . This is intended to ensure real-time monitoring and increase the safety of children, especially younger students.
The meeting emphasized that schools will be held responsible for the transport safety of their students, whether they use school buses or private vehicles like auto-rickshaws. It was recommended that schools:
- Ensure proper character verification and medical check-ups for drivers and attendants.
- Allow only vehicles with a valid fitness certificate for student transport.
- Conduct regular inspections of all transport vehicles through school-level transport committees formed in coordination with the education department.
Crackdown on Overcrowding and Illegal Transport
Overcrowded rickshaws are a common sight across Pune, often endangering young passengers. With the latest order, police have warned that strict action will be taken against drivers violating the five-student limit .
Additionally, the Pune Police and RTO will jointly launch a special drive targeting unauthorized and unsafe school transport vehicles . This campaign will focus on penalizing vehicle owners and drivers who flout safety and transport rules, ensuring stricter enforcement in the weeks to come.
