TN transport department acts against footboard travel after student death

The Tamil Nadu State Transport Department has started a drive to stop footboard travel on government buses after a viral video and a fatal incident. The video, recorded on August 18 at Vandavasi in Tiruvannamalai district, showed students packed onto the footboard and clinging to window grilles of a moving government bus. A day later, a Class 9 boy died after falling off the footboard of another government bus near Chengalpattu.

Department officials identified the students seen in the video and held discussions with their parents. They also said bus drivers have been warned that they will face disciplinary action if students are allowed to ride on footboards. As part of the drive, the department is working with the police and school administrations to raise awareness about the dangers of the practice.