Dear friends,

It is very very sad to read a news that seven has been killed by Blue Lines as well as injured too many. Blue Line Buses as well as Mrs. Shiela Dixit alongwith her loyal-cum-royal ministers must go off the Delhi scene. Enough is Enough. Commuting by Blue Line Buses is almost now a crime as you will be punished either death penalty or fracture penalty or rape penalty or rough treatment penalty.

On 19th Sept. I posted a Blog entitled ROAD SENSE IN DELHI, which is again copied here for ready reference. Please take care of remedies/suggestions at the end of Blog.

Let us all feel for those killed.

____________________________________________________________________________

as posted on 19.9.2007

ROAD SENSE IN DELHI

For the last few months Delhi has witnessed too many killings, rape, beating on road.

Now let me share my observations about all road users and concerned:

BLUE LINE BUSES

Yes! Blue Line Buses are the main culprit of bad road sense in Delhi. . And to set these Buses in order Delhi HC passed too many measures like speed governor, speed limit, dress for drivers and conductors, one conductor for each bus, not beating the bus wall to fetch more passengers, no music, no smoking, no overstaying, no overtaking without proper reason, well behaviour etc. etc.  But the situation remains marginally improved. Killing goes on and goes on. Rules and regulations are not worried over as punishment is considered very far away or easy to accept.

DTC BUSES:

Bus Box is totally invisible to all but mid lane is their favourite to let the passengers to get out of the bus as well as to get in who can rush. Smoking is common. To skip the Bus stop with one or two waiting passengers is also their rule. DTC Buses have also killed citizens.

HEAVY VEHICLES:

Some heavy vehicles also a problem at night hours as they run too fast (above 40 km) and overtake frequently to enter into a race with other vehicles. Occupying of all lanes during night hours is their basic right.

LIGHT VEHICLES:

Speed limit of 50 Km is a meaningless rule for most drivers. To create a noise pollution, specially at lights turning green, is their basic and fundamental right. Dispute over parking has  also resulted into death. During night hours all traffic lights are green for them. To mix drinks and driving is also a story of every night. After dinner walk on inner roads Music at high volume is available. To rape a helpless woman - Moving Car is the best place and best timings are night and wee hours.

 AUTO RICKSHAWS:

Bus Box is their parking slot to attract passengers. Hike in the rates (Rs. 4.50 per km) as per the expectation is still insufficient as no one like to miss the opportunity to pick the pockets by  demanding extra from needy and strangers. Refusal to go at some pretext or other (CNG insufficient, have to go different direction for school children etc. etc.) is still common.  They never carry coins as it is passengers worry.

BIKES/MOTORCYCLES:

Speed limit for heavy vehicles is 40 Km and for cars at 50 Km but for Bikes unlimited.

Stop line and red light invisible to almost all. To learn or practice Circus Skills on Delhi roads is the habit of some bike owners. Overtaking also is done in a risky way. As per the news Bikers have taken courage to beat or kill the car drivers on roads in presence of public.

PEDESTRIAN & CYCLIST:

The way of using roads, especially while crossing the roads, is a proof that Penalty/Fine etc. cannot be imposed on them. They cross the roads by taking their life at risk as well as  putting the drivers  at great risk and responsibility to save their life. More than two would walk across the road but not in a line. Parents/guardian will walk on the road by holding the walking kids with their right hand instead of putting kids on their left.  They have tuned  their ears not to attend Horn.

MOBILE PHONES:

No one like to miss a call while driving. All know that use of mobile while driving is banned and punishable but still the practice is on.

HOARDINGS:

Different hoardings have different level of attraction and  halts flow of traffice.

TRAFFIC POLICE:

Seems over occupied or short of staff. You will be penalized on crossing the yellow light but no penalty for DTC and Govt. Vehicles who has crossed red light behind you. The figures of the challans issued daily speaks WELLDONE.

PUBLIC/PASSENGERS: 

Though passengers make complaint over overstaying of buses, noise and ill manners of conductor and driver still they do not take courage to report/complaint to the Complaint Cell. Pickpockets happens in presence of Public. Too many daytime beating and killing also have reported in News. Public also responsible on their part.

SUBWAYS/OVERBRIDGES:

Too many subways and overbridges are neither passenger friendly nor patient friendly.

Even subway at Safdarjung Hospital (Ring Road) is not patient friendly. Its location should have been on the otherside of Bus Stop and should also have the exit and entrance from within the Hospital.

COURTS:

Courts have done their duties by enacting the ACTS/RULES/GUIDELINES etc. Daily too many are fined in courts for violations. What else can be done by courts?

REMEDIES/SOLUTIONS/SUGGESTIONS:

a)      All must obey the traffic rules and respect other road users.

b)      Blue Line Buses must stand themselves disciplined otherwise public agony will be injurious to all. Govt. has already planned to phase out.

c)      Exisiting subways and overbridges be changed/renovated to be comfortable for old and handicapped citizens also. More new subways and/or overbridges are needed.

d)      Traffic Police should not treat Govt. Vehicles differently and above traffic rules.

e)      In case the Delhi Police feels under staff or over burdened, will consider to appoint area wise freelancers for supervision and reporting of traffic disobeyance.

          vkbajaj1950@yahoo.co.in