India, June 18 -- Despite prior warnings from the Regional Transport Office (RTO) and the new academic year having begun already, over 2,000 school buses and vans across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad are yet to undergo the mandatory fitness checks, raising serious concerns about the safety of thousands of schoolchildren.

According to official data, Pune has 7,103 while Pimpri-Chinchwad has 3,195 registered school buses and vans, totalling 10,298 such vehicles used for ferrying students. Of these, only 8,136 have valid fitness certificates while 2,162 vehicles - including 1,403 in Pune and 759 in Pimpri-Chinchwad - are still to renew their fitness certificates.

Swapnil Bhosale, deputy regional transport officer, Pune, said, "These vehicles a...