On Saturday, District Collector Archana Patnaik and RTOs launched an inspection drive and found 31 out of 299 school vans and buses defective. Emergency exits lacked in a few buses; a few seats were damaged; fire extinguishers were not calibrated and footboard was damaged in one of the buses.

The officials have asked the school management concerned to repair the defects by 20th May.

Officials added: “Other violations were lack of pollution certificates and expired medicines in the first aid box.”

According to officials, on Tuesday 371 more vehicles would be checked. In a similar inspection last year, only 10 buses were given notices. Though there is an increased awareness, many of the schools do not maintain their buses.