India, Dec. 7 -- The Regional Transport Office (RTO) inspected 1,464 school transport vehicles between January 1 and November 30, penalising 249 of them for violating safety norms while ferrying students.

As much as Rs.22 lakh was collected in fines during the enforcement action, RTO officials said on Saturday. The transport body has appealed to schools and school bus operators to strictly follow safety rules while transporting students.

Calling student transportation a "highly sensitive responsibility," the RTO stressed that school administrations and bus operators must ensure strict adherence to prescribed guidelines issued by the district school bus safety committee and Pune city police commissioner.

As per the rules, school buses m...