Lucknow, July 24 -- In a push to ensure the safety of school-going children, the UP transport department has seized 913 school vehicles and collected Rs 88.52 lakh in penalties following a massive statewide enforcement drive, a government spokesman said here on Wednesday. "During the operation conducted between July 1 and July 15, the transport department inspected 46,748 of the 67,613 registered school vehicles-roughly 69%-across the state," he added. The inspection revealed that 4,089 vehicles (8.75%) violated safety norms, with 1,768 found operating despite expired fitness certificates. In all, 4,438 challans were issued as part of the crackdown. Uttar Pradesh transport commissioner Brajesh Narain Singh has issued strict directives to all districts and school managements, warning of "zero tolerance" for any negligence in school vehicle operations. He emphasised that any failure to comply with safety standards would attract severe legal, criminal, and administrative consequences, including the cancellation of school recognition in case of repeated violations. HTC...