Buses

Sanskaram Group of Schools & Eicher Buses Set New Benchmarks in Discipline & Road Safety

Somvir, Fleet Manager, Sanskaram Group of Schools

Safe, reliable and disciplined transportation is not an add-on at Sanskaram Group of Schools; it is a core part of the institution’s promise to parents. Over the last decade, as the group expanded from a single school into a multi-campus education ecosystem with schools and a university, transportation emerged as a critical enabler of access, trust and scale. The choice of Eicher school buses became central to that journey, helping Sanskaram build a transport system that balances safety, comfort, uptime and long-term cost efficiency.

Founded in 2015 under the Master Dayanand Memorial Education Trust, Sanskaram Group of Schools began with a clear social objective; to deliver quality education rooted in values, discipline and respect, especially in and around rural Haryana. From the start, the management understood that education does not begin at the classroom door. It begins the moment a child steps out of the house, boards a bus and feels secure enough to focus on learning.

Today, the group operates CBSE-affiliated public and international schools from nursery to Class 12, along with a growing university campus offering professional and specialised courses. With thousands of students commuting daily across villages and towns, Sanskaram’s transport operation has grown into a professionally managed fleet, anchored largely by Eicher buses. This growth has been shaped by a single non-negotiable principle; children’s safety comes first, always.

Building an education ecosystem with responsibility at its core

Sanskaram Public School was established in 2015 in Jhajjar district, Haryana, following the trust’s earlier work in technical education through a polytechnic institute. The school quickly grew into one of the largest educational institutions in the district, serving students from dozens of nearby villages. Over time, the group expanded into multiple branches and added an international school and a university campus, all operating with a shared philosophy of discipline, values and structured learning.

“Our aim was never just to run a school; our aim was to build character, confidence and respect in children, along with education,” says Mr. Somvir, Fleet Manager, Sanskaram Group of Schools. “That responsibility also extends to how children travel every day, because parents trust us with their most precious asset.”

Classes at Sanskaram run from nursery to Class 12, with a structured split between competition and non-competition sections at senior levels. Students preparing for competitive exams like NDA, JEE and NEET receive focused academic and physical training, while others follow a balanced curriculum aligned with CBSE and NCERT guidelines. The group also operates hostels, sports facilities and specialised coaching programmes, creating a holistic learning environment.

With this scale came a logistical challenge. Students travel from up to 15 villages daily, most within a 5 to 7 km radius, while some routes stretch longer. Managing time, safety and punctuality across such diversity required full control over transportation, not dependence on third-party operators.

“We decided very early that transportation must be operated by the school itself,” Mr. Somvir explains. “Only then can we ensure discipline, safety checks, trained staff and accountability at every level.”

From mixed fleets to confidence in Eicher

In the early years, Sanskaram’s fleet included vehicles from multiple manufacturers, Eicher entered the fleet cautiously, initially with just one or two vehicles. The management observed these buses closely over several years, evaluating maintenance costs, fuel efficiency, resale value and real-world performance on rural roads.

“We did not shift overnight,” says Mr. Somvir. “We ran the first Eicher buses for seven to eight years and studied everything; average, maintenance, downtime and resale. Only after that did we gain confidence.”

The results were clear. Eicher buses demonstrated lower overall operating costs, consistent fuel efficiency and dependable service support. Gradually, Sanskaram began adding two buses almost every year. Post-2022, the pace increased significantly, with 15 to 20 buses added annually. Today, the group operates a fleet of around 68 Eicher buses across its school branches, including BS IV and BS VI models.

“When we calculated total cost of ownership, Eicher made sense,” Mr. Somvir notes. “Maintenance is predictable, resale value is good, and most importantly, the vehicles are reliable for daily school operations.”

Safety systems that align with school values

For Sanskaram, safety is not limited to regulatory compliance. It is built into daily routines, training and technology. Eicher buses, with their school-specific safety features, aligned well with this philosophy.

“All government safety guidelines are followed; seat belts, emergency exits, fire safety and alarms,” Mr. Somvir says. “In recent years, fire suppression and fire detection systems have added another layer of confidence.”

The fire suppression system installed near the engine automatically detects sparks or fire and extinguishes it instantly, while simultaneously alerting the driver through an alarm. Regular mock drills are conducted with students, drivers and attendants to ensure calm and orderly evacuation if required.

“Children are trained from the first period itself; how to board the bus, how to sit, how to respond in an emergency,” Mr. Somvir explains. “We practice mock drills regularly, so there is no panic, only discipline.”

Each bus is staffed with a trained driver and two attendants, typically including a female attendant. Attendance is recorded, and parents receive confirmation once the child reaches the school campus. GPS tracking, cameras and digital monitoring tools further strengthen transparency.

Maintenance discipline and service support

A key reason for Sanskaram’s long-term confidence in Eicher has been service support. The group operates a small in-house workshop for routine checks, equipped with essential tools and trained staff. Every morning, before buses go on route, Mr. Somvir personally inspects vehicles for tyre pressure, mechanical issues and safety readiness.

“I do a full round every day,” he says. “Only after I am satisfied does the vehicle go on the road.”

Eicher supports this system through regular technician visits, ensuring quick resolution of issues and minimal breakdowns. Parts availability, even during challenging BS IV to BS VI transition phases, has remained consistent.

“Downtime is almost nil,” Mr. Somvir notes. “Our buses run on time, and that punctuality gives peace of mind to parents and to us.”

Technology, comfort and the road ahead

Beyond safety, comfort plays a vital role in daily commuting. Wider seats, stable suspension and predictable braking ensure children remain comfortable even on uneven rural roads. According to Mr. Somvir, students rarely feel road shocks, which contributes to a calmer start and end to their school day.

Fuel efficiency remains the largest operating cost, followed by tyres and suspension. Eicher’s eco and power driving modes help optimise mileage depending on load and route conditions, keeping running costs under control.

Looking ahead, Sanskaram is keenly watching developments in electric school buses. The group has already evaluated Eicher-Volvo electric offerings and plans to adopt them once policy support and subsidies align with school economics.

“If electric buses become viable for schools, we would like to be among the first adopters,” Mr. Somvir says. “Our goal is not just growth, but responsible growth.”

As Sanskaram targets higher student admissions across schools and its university over the next five years, transportation will continue to be a backbone of that expansion. With Eicher as a long-term partner, the group believes it has found a reliable foundation.

“At the end of the day, if children reach home safely and on time, parents are at peace,” Mr. Somvir reflects. “That peace of mind is the biggest achievement for us, and Eicher has played a big role in helping us achieve it.”