Police commissioner of Mangalore Seemanth Kumar Singh confirmed that the death rates in the Mangalore city police commissionerate limits (17 police stations) are on the rise.
Public transportation has proved to be a menace in Mangalore, terrifying motorists, passengers, and pedestrians alike. The ruthless drivers notorious for rash driving have sounded the death knell of many in the coastal city.
Police commissioner of Mangalore Seemanth Kumar Singh confirmed that the death rates in the Mangalore city police commissionerate limits (17 police stations) are on the rise.
The private bus operators dominate the public transport system in Mangalore city, with about 600 private buses. Though the KSRTC Mangalore division was putting up a brave fight for its share, the transport ministry has laid down arms in front of the private operators.
After the amendment of the Public Transport Act of 1972, due to the issue of easy permits, more single bus owners have cropped up.
The permit holder or the bus owner leases the bus to a bunch of drivers and conductors who work on a daily pay package.
“This has resulted in a mad rush on the roads of Mangalore and Udupi due to which public safety is in jeopardy. We have brought this unhealthy practice to the notice of several ministers and transport commissioners in the past, but no action has been taken so far,” said Hanumanth Kamath, president of the Nagarika Hitarakshana Vedike of Mangalore.
Highlighting the efficiency of the transport system, Bhaskar Salian, president of Canara Bus Owners Association, pointed out, “Our buses run in regular intervals to several locations, both within and outside the city, which is why one does not see any queue or commuters waiting in the bus stands.”
President of People’s Union for Civil Liberties Mangalore chapter PB D’Sa does not agree with Salian. “Efficiency at what cost?” he asked. “At the cost of hundreds of lives? Why does the transport authority act in a way favourable to private bus owners?” he questioned.
“Mangalore and Udupi are the only places in the state where bus owners hand over the bus to unscrupulous drivers and conductors. Whenever the bus is involved in an accident, the crew does a disappearing act and the owners plead helplessness,” RTO authorities reasoned.
Seasoned driver Rajinder Singh Bitta who drives a Volvo truck shared a bitter experience. “I’ve driven in the crowded roads of Mumbai, Chennai, and Bangalore. But during my first trip to Mangalore, I felt I was going to be in a major accident because the drivers here are rash.”
Even a fire engine squad has a story to tell. Once, a fire engine crew who were on a mission to douse fire was abused by a bus conductor for not letting the bus pass.
Apparently this bus was racing against another bus between Kavoor and Maravoor. Even red beacon cars and ambulances are not spared.
Chairman of the Regional Transport Authority and deputy commissioner of Dakshina Kannada district, Subodh Yadav, said, “We are trying to bring several new safety measures. We are plugging in all loopholes the public transport operators have to hoodwink the law. We will start with making it mandatory to fit a GPS (global positioning system) in every public transport vehicle. The second step will be to strictly monitor private buses for the quality of driving,” he added.
m_raghuram@dnaondia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=spacer}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}