B.P. Katakey, J.

1. On the basis of the petition dated 8.3.1999 filed by some concerned citizens of the city of Guwahati, addressed to the Chief Justice, highlighting various risk factors involved in overloading of students in the school buses of different schools in the city of Guwahati, more particularly in South Point Montessory High School, as well as plying of unauthorized school buses without even making available the minimum safeguards for commuting students in such school buses, this public interest litigation has been registered.

2. We have heard Ms. Bhuyan, learned amicus curiae and also Ms. B. Goyal learned State counsel appearing on behalf of the State respondents. None appeared on behalf of the private respondent.

3. This court vide order dated 31.3.1999 directed the State respondents to file affidavit indicating the steps taken by the authorities concerned to check the problems being faced by the students of various schools while travelling in the school buses, in response to which the Commissioner of Transport as well as Superintendent of Police filed their affidavits in which they have more or less admitted that the buses, run by the South Point Montessory High