Bhubaneswar, Feb 19: A startling disclosure in the Odisha Legislative Assembly has raised serious concerns about student safety. Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena on Thursday stated that 1,171 school buses across the state are operating without valid fitness certificates, prompting alarm among parents’ associations and social activists.

The revelation comes amid data showing that Odisha has 4,045 school buses ferrying children daily. Of these, 17 buses in Bhubaneswar alone lack fitness clearance, despite the city recording the highest accident rates. Parents’ groups expressed deep anxiety, warning that unfit vehicles pose grave risks to students.

The issue is not confined to school buses. The Assembly was informed that 242 vehicles under the Transport Department, including 44 government-owned and 198 hired vehicles, have also crossed their Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) validity, which expired on December 22, 2025.

Minister Jena assured that fitness checks will be conducted through Automated Testing Centres (ATCs), and warned that vehicles failing to renew fitness certificates would have their Registration Certificates (RCs) cancelled. He emphasized that strict enforcement is necessary to curb accidents linked to unfit vehicles.

Under current rules, private vehicles must renew fitness certificates every five years after 15 years of registration, while commercial vehicles require renewal two years after purchase and subsequently every eight years. Failure to comply attracts fines ranging from Rs2,000 to Rs10,000.

The Crime Branch’s 2024 report adds urgency to the issue, noting that 15–16 people die daily in road accidents across Odisha, with many cases linked to vehicles lacking fitness certification. Parents’ associations and social activists have demanded immediate action to ensure student safety and restore public confidence.

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The disclosure underscores systemic lapses in monitoring and enforcement, raising questions about accountability. With school buses and government vehicles alike operating without valid fitness, the state faces mounting pressure to act decisively before further tragedies occur.