Parents want old Balrath buses to be replaced

Team Herald

PONDA: Parents as well as headmasters have expressed concern over some  old Balrath buses and have demanded  that the authorities inspect the vehicles and scrap the unsafe and unroadworthy ones.

Parents said that they had observed that most of the buses were old and for children to travel by such antiquated vehicles was unsafe.

One Headmaster speaking to Herald on condition of anonymity said that the Balrath buses were introduced in 2009 and were in a dismal state. He charged that the vehicles were rusty, the metal floor  corroded and had developed cracks in some places posing risks to  students who use them. 

He further went to state the government provides an allowance  of Rs 3.6 lakh to the school management to cover fuel costs,  payment of  salary to a driver and an attendant. However this money is just not enough as the maintenance costs are high, he added.

The parents said that safety of students should not be comprised and the government must inspect and replace the 14-year-old buses. 

Padmanab Prabudesai, a retired as Headmaster said that a few years ago, parents and the Headmasters Association had informed the Education Department about the old and rusty vehicles and the need to replace them.

“The government should scrap old buses and replace them with new ones for safety of students . There is no point in paying compensation after accidents,” said Prabudesai.

General Secretary of United Balarath Employees Association Shivkumar Naik said there are around 422 buses in Goa and many of them are maintained well. He however admitted that some buses were in very bad condition and need to be scrapped.