India, Oct. 4 -- Every morning and afternoon, a familiar scene unfolds in the city- private vans are seen packed beyond its capacity and students are seen seated squeezed shoulder to shoulder, said residents. In residential pockets close to schools, the situation worsens as these private vehicles jostle for space in narrow lanes, creating safety concerns. What follows next is loud and continuous honking and a frayed temper.

Under the Haryana Surakshit Vahan Policy which came into effect on 2014, school vans are prohibited from carrying more than 1.5 times their registered capacity, ensuring a safe commute for the students. For instance, an eight-seater vehicle can ferry no more than 12 children at a time.

This rule applies to both schoo...