Chief minister's letter urging people to follow traffic rules being sent along with new driving licence, registration certificate book.
Chief minister Narendra Modi is known for the knack of communicating the right message and not letting any opportunity go. Realising the importance of safe driving, he has introduced a new system - of writing a personal letter to every person who buys a new vehicle or receives a driving licence.
And his personal letter drives the message home very clearly - drive safe, ensure safety of others and avoid pollution. The RC (registration certificate) book and the licence are now delivered straight home by registered post, along with the personal letter from the chief minister.
His detractors may dismiss this move as a way to reach out to thousands ahead of 2012 elections, but if it has a desired impact, looking at the huge fan-base of Modi, it can contribute towards better driving experience on Gujarat roads.
The state transport department has launched the scheme of giving Modi’s letter as part of ‘Swarnim Gujarat’ celebrations.
The scheme has been implemented in the regional transport offices of Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot and will soon cover other RTOs in the state.
Earlier, the driving licence (DL) used to be hand-delivered to the holder at the respective RTO while the RC book was being collected by the vehicle owner from the dealer. But now both the documents, accompanied by Modi’s letter are being sent at the address of the DL holder or vehicle owner by the RTO concerned.
A senior official in the transport department said, “We started delivering the DL and RC book through the registered post. The idea is to verify the address, ensure convenience for people, and see that they do not have to wait in the RTO office after completing the standard procedures.”
He said, “Along with the documents, we have started attaching a letter from the CM which carries a message on road safety. We have already started the scheme in Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot. Soon it will be implemented in all other RTOs in the state.”
On an average, more than 3,500 DLs are issued by different RTOs in the state. The RTOs in Ahmedabad, Surat and Rajkot issue around 750 DLs each daily. “We started dispatching the CM’s letter on December 27,” said Ahmedabad RTO, TN Barevadia.
“The chief minister is deeply concerned about the number of accidents taking place in the state. Since he is very popular in the state, his letter would surely create an impact on citizens. Apart from emphasising on road safety issues, the CM has also urged people for environment protection,” said KM Vaghela, Surat RTO.
Modi’s letter congratulates new licence holders and vehicle owners. In the letter, he urges them to drive the vehicle carefully and within the speed limit, while following traffic rules. “It is the moral duty of every citizen to drive the vehicle safely and attain progress in life,” reads the letter.
It further says: “Your life is very precious, and your family members have much hope from you. I pray from the bottom of my heart that this vehicle doesn’t become a nightmare for your family. I request you to consider me as your well-wisher and follow my words.”
People who have recently got the CM’s letter are delighted. “I think one should realise the hazards involved in rash driving and not obeying the traffic rules. With chief minister himself urging people for road safety, I am sure it would bring some change in people’s attitude towards road safety,” said Bhupendra Patel, a car owner.
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