In a bid to ensure safety of school children, Regional Transport Officials (RTO) have started inspecting school vehicles ferrying students across the city from May 11.

According to an order by Satyabrata Sahoo, State Transport Commissioner, the inspections have to be conducted by all the RTOs and a report has to be submitted to the respective District Collector by May 30. Fitness certificates will not be provided to vehicles that are faulty.

The first inspection was carried out at the Thiruvanmiyur RTO on May 11 and similar checks will be done in other parts of the city in the coming days. “The inspection will be conducted by a committee comprising RTOs, revenue officials, Assistant Commissioners of Police and Chief Education Officers. They will check for the condition of the vehicle, height of the foot board and presence of first-aid box, among others,” said a transport department official.

According to him, the vehicle should have racks under the seats for keeping school bags. Weak footboards should be replaced. “The buses must also be fitted with speed governors. There should also be a fire extinguisher and an emergency exit,” said the official.

Meanwhile, Chennai Collector E. Sundaravalli conducted a co-ordination meeting on Tuesday.

The government formed the committee after the death of six-year-old S.Sruthi, who fell through a hole on the floor of the school bus and came under its wheels in Tambaram on July 24, 2012.