Autos overloaded with students seized in Kadapa

 Anantapur: Following the tragic incident in Vizag, the road transport department conducted surprise raids on the auto-rikshaws ferrying school children more than the permitted number in Kadapa town on Saturday and seized 6 such overloaded vehicles. Deputy transport commissioner Meera Kumar said that surprise raids were conducted on several private and government schools concentrating the auto rickshaws carrying students more than the permitted number and six vehicles were confiscated for violation of rules.

The Commissioner observed that several auto rickshaws were carrying students without safety measures and putting the lives of students at risk. “An auto rickshaw with three seats can carry maximum six students and eight students with 4 seats”, she said, adding that school bags should not be hanged outside the vehicle with all doors including the backdoor being closed while ferrying the students.

He cautioned that parents against hiring autos to send their children to school. The raids would continue, he said.