Twenty-nine school and college bus drivers were booked for alleged drunk driving within the Ernakulam Range limit on Monday (July 13, 2026), the police said.The offenders were held during a special enforcement drive conducted as s part of ‘Operation Toofan’. Cases have been registered against them under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, and legal action has been initiated, according to the police.The special drive, aiming to ensure safety of students, targeted drivers of buses and other vehicles used for transporting students in the districts of Ernakulam, Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Idukki. As many as 3,333 drivers attached to 1,231 educational institutions were inspected during the drive.In Ernakulam Rural limit, seven drivers were found under the influence of alcohol while in Alappuzha nine were booked. In Idukki and Kottayam districts, seven and six drivers respectively were found drunk while on duty.The police said directions have been issued to the respective educational institutions to remove the drivers found guilty of drunk driving from service.DIG Yathish Chandra G.H said violations which endanger the safety of students will not be tolerated under any circumstances. “Such special enforcement drives will continue in the coming days without prior notice. School managements and vehicle owners have been advised to strictly ensure that drivers engaged for student transportation possess the required qualifications, are physically fit, and comply with all statutory and safety requirements,” the officer added. Published - July 13, 2026 08:50 pm IST