Srinagar, Apr 14: The Transport Department of Jammu and Kashmir has issued a stern directive mandating the installation of CCTV cameras in all school buses across the Union Territory. According to officials, school buses found without CCTV cameras after April 15, 2025, will not be permitted to operate on the roads.
An official from the department told Rising Kashmir that the directive follows the Supreme Court of India’s guidelines regarding student safety, which are now being fully implemented in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We have already set a deadline of March 31, 2025, for schools to install CCTV cameras in their buses,” the official said. “Audits of school buses are currently underway, and Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTOs) from all 20 districts have been instructed to inspect school buses within their jurisdictions and submit comprehensive reports by April 15, 2025.”
The official noted that the initial directive was issued in December 2024, but after consultations with school managements and associations, the department extended the deadline to allow adequate compliance time.
“As of now, most schools have complied and installed CCTV cameras in their buses,” the official said. “However, strict enforcement will begin after April 15. Any school bus found plying without a camera system will be seized until compliance is ensured.”
The Transport Department also highlighted the broader benefits of this move, stating that CCTV surveillance will help monitor driver and conductor behaviour, prevent overcrowding, and improve overall safety for students.
“CCTV footage will provide transparency and accountability, ensuring that both safety protocols and conduct standards are maintained during student transport,” the official added.
The department has also reached out to school associations across the UT to reinforce the importance of compliance and ensure a smooth implementation of the directive.
