The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad high court has directed the deputy commissioner of police (traffic), Lucknow, to intimate 17 city schools about the need to install security cameras outside the school premises and also of the expenses involved.
A division bench of justice Alok Mathur and justice Brij Raj Singh passed the order on August 18 (uploaded on Friday), while hearing a PIL filed by the Gomti River Bank Residents’ Welfare Association, pertaining to safety issues and traffic problems near schools in the state capital. The 17 schools are respondents in the petition.
“A detailed letter, in this regard, shall be forwarded by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), Lucknow, to the District Magistrate, Lucknow, who, in turn, shall ensure communication of the same to all seventeen schools through the District Inspector of Schools, Lucknow,” the court directed.
Earlier, the Amicus Curiae placed before the court a standard operating procedure (SOP), which has been prepared in consultation with La Martiniere Girls College, Lucknow. A copy of the same has been provided to state counsel. As per the said SOP, the school has proposed to install 12 cameras around the school campus so that it can facilitate the movement of traffic. It has been submitted that once the said cameras are installed, their feed can be shared with the Traffic Police.
Raveena Tyagi, DCP (traffic), informed the court that an approximate amount of ₹1,12,100/- would be required from each school for the purpose of linking the cameras installed by the school with the feed of the Smart City so that real-time traffic management can be effectively carried out. She has further stated that an amount of approximately Rs. 8,000/- to Rs. 9,000/- per month will be required for maintenance and providing Wi-Fi connectivity, amongst other things, for the cameras.
{{/usCountry}}Raveena Tyagi, DCP (traffic), informed the court that an approximate amount of ₹1,12,100/- would be required from each school for the purpose of linking the cameras installed by the school with the feed of the Smart City so that real-time traffic management can be effectively carried out. She has further stated that an amount of approximately Rs. 8,000/- to Rs. 9,000/- per month will be required for maintenance and providing Wi-Fi connectivity, amongst other things, for the cameras.
{{/usCountry}}High-tension lines over schools
On the issue that there are thousands of schools in UP where high tension electricity lines are passing over the school building, the court had directed to communicate this issue to the competent authority and seek views in this regard, on the next date of listing.
The amicus had submitted that a study in this regard has also been conducted and published in Hindustan Times on July 25, 2026.
In this regard, the counsel for UPPCL informed the court that with regard to the removal of high-tension wires, a committee was constituted, which had determined that there are 8,350 schools over which high-tension wires are running and effective action has been taken in this regard and, out of 8,350 schools, remedial action has been taken in 7,906 schools and the high-tension wires have been removed. Only 740 schools remain where the requisite exercise is yet to be undertaken, he said.
He said that the exercise will be completed within a period of two months.
Sexual harassment
Another concern expressed was with regard to buses and vans ferrying students to and from schools. It was submitted that various incidents have been reported regarding children being sexually harassed by the drivers of these vehicles.
“There was a proposal with regard to engaging female drivers in school vans to ensure the safety of school children, and the opinion of the State Government was sought in this regard vide order dated 30.07.2026. In the absence of any representation on behalf of the Transport Department, complete instructions could not be furnished to this Court.
“In the aforesaid circumstances, the Additional Chief Secretary, Transport, State of U.P., Lucknow, is directed to remain present before this Court along with the relevant record on the next date of listing(September7)”, the court ordered.
The court made it clear that the present directions are being issued in respect of Lucknow district. However, these directions may be replicated and complied with throughout the state.
The additional advocate general submitted that the Vidyalaya Parivahan Suraksha Samiti has been constituted, vide notification dated May 27, 2019, which is to be followed by all schools.
“In view of the aforesaid, let a copy of this order be communicated to all the District Magistrates through the Chief Secretary, State of U.P., for effective implementation of Notification dated 27.05.2019,” the court directed.
MANOJ KUMAR SINGH