School Van Overturns, 5 Students Injured
The new academic year began today, but an unfortunate incident occurred on the very first day in the Nimapada block area. A Tata Magic vehicle, which was ferrying students to and from Vivekananda Shiksha Kendra located in Patharpada under Tulasi Pur Panchayat, lost control and overturned off the roadside, resulting in injuries to five students. They were admitted to Charichhak Health Center for medical treatment.
According to reports, after school had ended, the Tata Magic van (registration number OD 11E 0583) was transporting five students home. Near Gopalpur village, just past Charichhak Women’s College, the driver lost control of the vehicle, causing it to veer off the road and overturn. Passersby immediately rescued the injured students and rushed them to the nearby health center at Charichhak.
Upon receiving information, the Charichhak police arrived at the scene, seized the accident-hit vehicle, and brought it to the station. Notably, two years ago, another vehicle from the same school overturned into a canal near Jalachhatra, injuring more than eight students.
These recurring incidents highlight a concerning issue: private schools are failing to follow the transportation guidelines issued by the government for student safety. This non-compliance has led to repeated accidents and injuries among students. Despite being aware of the situation, local police and administration have remained silent, drawing public dissatisfaction.
Even in the constituency of the State Minister for School and Mass Education, private schools continue to transport students in unsafe conditions. The education department’s silence in such matters has triggered strong public criticism. Citizens are now demanding that the Puri District Collector and the Transport Department take immediate action and implement strict safety measures.
