And for another Friday ……. with mounting Traffic jams & escalating fatal accidents in almost every city & across highways …… some thoughts …. some musings …….
In India with easy availability of vehicle loans &. abundant choices at each price point …..every year we add 4 mn four-wheelers & 18 mn two wheelers to the already overcrowded roads in cities & towns ….. in a fast growing economy with an average population age of 28 years …. Every adult in the Country aspires to own a vehicle ….. the transformation …..- a cyclist to a two wheeler … then to a low end car … then a Sedan … . move to a SUV ….. whilst all cities are choking…….. amongst the big cities Bangalore is most notorious for traffic …. a strong growth in Job opportunities has fuelled unbridled affordability …….the problem accentuated due lack of / inadequacy of Public transport …. In Bangalore it is rumoured for 14 mn population there are already 12 mn vehicles & the numbers are multiplying by the day ……:.& in every city add the unchecked & grey levels of corruption ….. from issuance of Licences at RTOs to traffic management ….. road rage & hooliganism ….. a complete recipe for disaster is ready …… result …. India has the largest levels of fatal road accidents in the World …. more than 1,60,000 people loose their lives yearly due fatal accidents … sad …but all of us are equally responsible….
Under the leadership of one of India’s most efficient Roads & Infrastructure Cabinet Minister -Shri Nitin Gadkari many yeomen measures have been implemented ….. the New Motor Vehicles Act , World-class Expressways & Highways …. Stricter focus on safety enforced on Automobile manufacturers….but as the Minister himself laments …… it still is not good enough ……we as Indians must change our orientation ….. “there is neither fear of the law nor respect towards others“ ….. time has come for every Parent … every Citizen to take on responsibility to improve the situation…… many brilliant examples are available …. from celebrity film stars who have supported thru safety promotional advts & Reels … to likes of Piyush Tiwari the founder of “ Save -Life “ Foundation …. Phenomenal work done by foundation including getting the Good Samaritan Law passed …….any good citizen who helps a fatally wounded accident victim now has complete protection …. No Civil or Criminal liabilities …. Police & Hospitals are prohibited from seeking the personal details of the Good Samaritan ……
India as the fourth largest economy ….. can aim to be a Developed Nation only if Citizens take charge & be Socially responsible …… avoid Road accidents ….the involved way …..,the corruption -free way ….. the SEEGOS Way.