Gurugram sets rain protocol for school buses after 14 were stranded for hours

At least 14 school buses carrying children from nursery to Class 12 were stranded across Gurugram for nearly five to six hours during heavy rain on Monday, prompting a new district safety protocol for monsoon days.

At Subhash Chowk in Sector 47, buses were stuck in knee-deep water. Ajay Pal, a Sector 70 resident, said he and his brother reached the area around 5.30pm and carried children through the water to their cars. His six-year-old niece, who usually reaches home by 2pm, had been on her bus for almost six hours.

Under the new plan, traffic police will send schools updates on waterlogging along bus routes. On days of heavy rain or weather warnings, route-status reports are due at 5.30am, 10.30am and 12.30pm; sudden blockages must trigger an update within 30 minutes.

Police personnel, tow trucks and PCR units are to be deployed at vulnerable points where needed. School buses will receive priority movement from 7-9am and 12-3pm. Haryana Roadways buses will also be kept ready to evacuate children from stranded or broken-down buses.

The measures follow the buses stranded in Gurugram’s flooded routes.