Cuttack, Jan 16: In a serious lapse endangering the lives of schoolchildren, the Regional Transport Office (RTO), Cuttack, has seized four buses that were carrying students of Talabasta High School on a picnic. The action was taken after it was found that one of the buses was running with a fake number plate, while the remaining three lacked valid or proper documents.

Based on prior information, Traffic Inspector Ranjan Kumar Dora conducted a check near the Baranga Godisahi canal road, where the four buses were intercepted and seized. Following verification, the RTO imposed a total fine of ₹12,34,157 on the buses for various violations.

The seizure caused inconvenience to the students, who were stranded for several hours at night. Considering their safety, the RTO later arranged alternative buses to ensure the students were safely dropped back home.

The incident has raised serious questions about the responsibility of bus owners, who allegedly allowed unfit and non-compliant vehicles to be used for transporting schoolchildren. With school picnics being organized across the district during the month of January, concerns have been raised over whether transport vehicles are being adequately inspected before being deployed. The matter has sparked public concern over student safety and enforcement of transport regulations.