Goemkarponn desk
PANAJI: In pursuit of our commitment and mandate to promote the safety and security of children,
the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has initiated suo motu action to address the issue of traffic mismanagement at Sharada Mandir School, Miramar.
GSCPCR Chairperson Peter Floriano Borges in a order said the prevailing traffic situation surrounding Sharada Mandir School during drop-off and pick-up hours raises substantial concerns.
“The chaos not only jeopardizes the safety of the
students but also disrupts the movement of public. This chaotic situation primarily stems from inadequate traffic management and widespread violations of traffic regulations during the school during drop-off and pick-up hours,” the order says.
The resulting congestion, it added, often aggravated
by unauthorized parking and reckless driving, creates an unsafe environment for the students as they navigate to and from the school premises.
Furthermore, it says, this disorderly environment sets an adverse example for the students.
“Witnessing adults flouting rules and behaving irresponsibly undermines the values of
responsibility and lawful conduct that the school and parents aim to instil in them. The chaotic traffic conditions not only put their physical well-being at risk but also influence their perception of civic responsibility and discipline,” it said.
It is imperative that corrective measures are taken to address this issue, not only to ensure the immediate safety of the students but also to impart the right societal values to the young minds, said the order.
In light of these concerns, the following directives are hereby issued by the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, as part of our duty to ensure the safety and security of students within the school after a joint hearing with the stakeholders.
1) Enforce the provisions outlined in the notifications issued by the District Magistrate, North Goa – No. 23/6/2022/MAG/TISW/1384 and No.
23/6/2022/MAG/TISW/3018:
a. Superintendent of Police (Traffic) to strictly implement a no-parking policy
in the designated school lane at Sharada Mandir High School, Miramar, during school drop-off and pick-up hours (07:00-09:00 hrs and 12:00-14:00 hrs).
This rule shall apply to all individuals, including residents and businesses, to prevent them and their patrons from parking in the dedicated lane during the specified times. Corporation of City of Panaji to communicate to the affected establishment.
b. The Commissioner for CCP to implement
the application of stencil markings on the school lane, clearly indicating “School Drop/Pick Up,” and installing appropriate signboards near CCD, providing clarity on lane usage during specified times, as per the notification
by District Magistrate, North Goa.
2) The Corporation of City of Panaji to initiate the repainting of Zebra crossing markings to enhance their visibility and effectiveness in guiding both drivers and
pedestrians to the designated safe crossing area.
3) The Traffic Department is instructed to execute the placement of barricades along the stretch extending from Miramar Circle to Gate No. 3 of the school and from the Varanda Do Mar Hotel Junction to Gate No. 3. This action is crucial to establish a secured pathway for students and deter unauthorized parking in the area.
4) District Disaster Management Authority to a comprehensive safety assessment of the pedestrian overbridge near the school, focusing on structural integrity and safety measures. The deteriorating condition of the overbridge, including rust, missing
planks, and damage, poses potential risks to students. A detailed report, inclusive of findings and recommended actions, must be submitted to the Goa State Commission
for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) within one month, with the goal of ensuring the safety of students using the overbridge.
5) SP (Traffic) and Corporation of City of Panaji to implement the installation of a comprehensive CCTV camera network for the purpose of diligent monitoring and identification of parking violations. Enforce fines in strict accordance with the evidence provided by these surveillance systems, with a particular focus on penalizing those who park on zebra crossings or misuse road dividers, as these actions contribute to traffic congestion and safety hazards.
6) The SP (Traffic) should ensure the deployment of a sufficient number of police officers to regulate traffic in the vicinity of the school, with a particular focus on the school entrance and the neighboring intersections, namely, Miramar Circle and Science Centre, on both sides of the school premises.
7) The school administration to establish a volunteer program aimed at facilitating the safe and organized movement of students along the footpath leading to the school gate immediately upon disembarking from vehicles. This initiative should entails recruiting responsible individuals from within the school community or parents who can assist in maintaining order and ensuring that students traverse the path without
any hindrance or potential safety concerns.
The presence of these dedicated volunteers will not only enhance the overall safety of students but also foster a sense of community responsibility and cooperation in
promoting safe school transportation practices.
8) The school administration takes active measures to enforce a strict policy within the school premises, ensuring that all school staff and individuals providing auxiliary services to the school refrain from parking their vehicles in front of the school near the footpath. This policy should be communicated clearly to all personnel involved and enforced consistently.
