Deputy Commissioner of Chamarajanagar Shreeroopa has issued orders prohibiting the movement of heavy vehicles within a radius of 200 metres of all Government, aided and unaided primary and secondary schools in the district during specified hours when the schools start and close for the day.

In a statement, the Deputy Commissioner said the temporary restriction will remain in force from 8 a.m. to 10.30 a.m. when the students arrive at school and from 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m., when the students leave the school, subject to certain conditions.

The restriction covers all types of heavy vehicles including tippers, heavy lorries, and other heavy goods transport vehicles.

Even outside the restricted hours, the vehicles passing through the school zones should not exceed the speed limit of 30 kmph and not carry loads beyond their permitted capacity. The vehicles moving through school zones must not use loud horns and no heavy vehicles shall be parked within school limits, the Deputy Commissioner said.

The restrictions on movement of heavy vehicles come in the wake of reopening of schools across the district and the higher risk of accidents posed from the increase in traffic congestion due to movement of tippers and other heavy vehicles transporting stone, sand, minerals, and mining materials in various parts of the district.

Public complaints have been received expressing concern that such conditions could endanger the safety of schoolchildren, said a statement here.

In this backdrop, the order has been issued to ensure the safety of students, prevent traffic congestion and accidents, and maintain public peace and order by temporarily restricting the movement of heavy vehicles during school opening and closing hours, Deputy Commissioner Shreeroopa said.