Allahabad High Court Seeks CBSE Plan to Improve Traffic Management Around Lucknow Schools

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has directed the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) to suggest effective measures to improve traffic management around CBSE-affiliated schools in Lucknow. The court has also sought accountability from schools that fail to comply with its earlier directions.

The directions were issued by a division bench comprising Justice Alok Mathur and Justice Brij Raj Singh while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Gomti River Bank Residents Association. The court summoned a responsible CBSE official to explain how compliance with its previous orders could be ensured across affiliated schools.

Allahabad High Court Emphasises Regular School Vehicle Inspections

During the proceedings, the Deputy Transport Commissioner informed the court that inspections of school vehicles would continue and that compliance with the Motor Vehicles Act and the rules framed under it would be monitored.

The bench stressed that inspections must be conducted regularly to protect schoolchildren and should not be treated as a one-time exercise. It also directed that appropriate action be taken against schools found violating the court's instructions.

New Chairperson for Traffic Management Committee

The court was informed that Lucknow's Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic), who headed a committee established to address traffic-related problems, had been transferred.

In response, the bench directed the Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police to consult the Additional Advocate General and nominate a new chairperson for the committee. The appointed officer must hold a rank no lower than Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP).

The court directed that the appointment process be completed within 10 days of the submission of a certified copy of its order.

State Government Gets More Time to Submit School Building Plans

The bench also considered the pending information on building plans for schools in districts neighbouring Lucknow. As the required details had not been received, the state government was granted an additional 10 days to submit them.

After the documents are received, the Additional Advocate General, the legal team and the amicus curiae (court-appointed adviser) will examine the plans and submit their findings at the next hearing.

The case is scheduled for its next hearing on November 4, 2026. The proceedings form part of the wider effort to improve traffic management around schools and strengthen the safety of children travelling to and from educational institutions.