Chandigarh, 28.04.2026:A meeting was held today under the chairmanship of Sh. Nishant Kumar Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, Chandigarh, to review and strengthen the implementation of the Safe Transportation Policy for Students (STRAPS) across all private educational institutions in the Union Territory.

During the meeting, it was observed that several schools have altered or amended their layouts without obtaining approval for the Revised Building Plan (RBP). In many instances, designated parking spaces, as per approved building plans, have been converted into classrooms, playgrounds, courts, or other uses. This has resulted in a shortage of parking within school premises, making it difficult to facilitate safe boarding and de-boarding of students inside the campus.

As a consequence, traffic congestion is being witnessed outside school premises, with parents and guardians compelled to pick up and drop off students on public roads. However, as per the STRAPS policy of the UT Administration, the following provisions are to be strictly adhered to:

* Pick-up and Drop-off: Schools with internal parking must ensure that students are picked up and dropped off within the school premises. Where this is not feasible, a properly demarcated area outside the premises must be designated for boarding and de-boarding.
* Traffic Management: Schools are required to deploy their own manpower to regulate traffic around the premises during opening and closing hours, ensuring one-way traffic flow so that students are not required to cross roads.

In this regard, officials of the Estate Office have been directed to ensure strict compliance with approved Revised Building Plans. Schools will be instructed to remove all encroachments and violations in areas designated for parking within a period of one month, failing which appropriate action will be initiated against defaulters.

Further, the Director of School Education has been directed to issue instructions to all schools with available parking facilities to ensure that boarding and de-boarding of students takes place strictly within the school premises.

It was also highlighted that, as per lease conditions of many educational institutions, 15% of seats are to be allocated free of cost to students belonging to the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS). Officials of the Estate Office have been directed to verify compliance with this provision across all lessee schools and submit a detailed report accordingly.