Nearly 79% of school buses in Kashmir now have CCTVs

Srinagar, May 19: In a significant move aimed at enhancing student safety, nearly 79% of school buses in Kashmir have now been equipped with CCTV cameras. The initiative is part of a broader effort by the UT government to strengthen safety standards in school transportation and ensure strict compliance across the region.
Earlier, the Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department had mandated that all school buses in the Union Territory be fitted with CCTV cameras along with other essential safety equipment. The deadline for compliance was initially set for January 31, 2025, but was later extended to March 31, 2025, following consultations with school authorities to allow sufficient time for full implementation.
Notably, this directive comes amid growing concern over student safety, especially after several road accidents — including a tragic incident in Kupwara in April where two students lost their lives and several others sustained injuries. Officials believe that these cameras will enhance accountability, discourage unsafe practices such as overspeeding and overloading, and support investigations in the event of accidents or misconduct.
A senior official from the Jammu and Kashmir Transport Department said nearly 79% of school buses in Kashmir have complied with the CCTV installation order. “With 79% compliance achieved, we are seeing steady progress. The response from school administrations and transport operators has been positive, and we expect to reach full compliance by the end of next month,” the official said, requesting anonymity.
The official added that Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTOs) are conducting inspections across districts and submitting compliance reports. “Regular audits are underway, and strict action is being taken against non-compliant vehicles,” he said.
Simultaneously, the Traffic Police Department has intensified inspections to ensure adherence to the new safety norms. A senior official from the department, requesting anonymity said, “We are focused on ensuring that all school buses meet safety requirements. Buses found operating without CCTV cameras or violating other norms will face immediate penalties, including fines and possible seizure. The safety of children is our top priority.”
He added that the installation of CCTV cameras would also allow continuous monitoring of driver behaviour and provide critical footage in case of any dispute or untoward incident.
The government’s push to equip school buses with CCTV cameras is being hailed as a much-needed reform in the region’s school transportation system. Parents have welcomed the move, expressing hope that such measures will lead to safer daily commutes for their children and bring a greater sense of security.
“As a parent, I feel more confident knowing that there’s a system in place to monitor what happens on the bus,” said Suhail Mir, a father of two children. “This step is long overdue and will help ensure our children’s safety.”
“We’ve been demanding such safety measures for years,” said Tasneem Wani, another parent from Hyderpora. “Installing CCTV cameras is necessary. It will encourage stricter monitoring and prompt action whenever rules are broken.”
With increased compliance and ongoing enforcement, the initiative marks a key step towards safer and more accountable school transportation across Jammu and Kashmir.