Chandmal Parmar has been working relentlessly to for prevention of mishaps on roads after the tragic death of his daughter Rajashree on November 17, 1989.
Road safety crusader Chandmal Parmar has been working relentlessly to for prevention of mishaps on roads after the tragic death of his daughter Rajashree on November 17, 1989. He founded an NGO Kum. Rajashree Parmar Memorial Foundation, which has been creating awareness among people on road safety issues. Impressed with his work, the Union ministry of shipping, road transport and highways has honoured him with the national safety award twice.
Parmar, who is also the chairman of the transport committee of the Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), shares his views on road safety with DNA.
What is the best way to reduce fatal accidents on roads?
Self-discipline is the best way to reduce the fatal accidents on roads. Unless people think about other people’s lives on the road, it is difficult to reduce mishaps. In Pune, if we look at the accident cases, most of the victims are youths. It is because they drive recklessly. Road users, especially those driving vehicles, have to give importance to road safety aspects to make roads safer for the users.
Would you agree that the Pune-Mumbai expressway has become vulnerable as the number of fatal accidents has increased over the years?
There are 20 accident-prone spots on expressway and most of the time fatal accidents occur on these spots. Moreover, there is a three kilometre stretch which joins NH-4 and expressway, which too is dangerous for vehicles. It is imperative for every heavy vehicle to put reflectors to avoid mishaps, especially after sunset. The authorities also have to maintain the expressway properly like the Vadodara- Ahmedabad highway.
What is your opinion about public transport in the city?
On an average about 1.5 lakh new vehicles are registered every year in the city. This is not a good sign for the city. This trend proves that Pune has poor quality of public transport. If the Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Limited (PMPML) is able to give quality service, it would help in reducing the rise in vehicular population. Besides, we are also ignoring the railway service in the city as well. Pune needs to have metro rail as it would reduce traffic congestion in the city.
How can helmet usage be made compulsory in the city?
Wearing of helmets was made compulsory for two-wheeler riders in Delhi in 1976. In Pune too, wearing of helmets must be made mandatory as it would save many lives. People in Pune claim that they are uncomfortable wearing a helmet. But my point is that if Delhiites have no problems with helmets, why are Puneites averse to wearing it.
What is your comment on the city’s traffic police?
The city traffic police are doing a good job. But I still feel that Mumbai traffic police are superior to their Pune counterparts. I feel that vehicle riders in Mumbai fear the traffic police unlike in Pune. Pune traffic police have to be stricter when it comes to enforcing traffic rules.
You are a member of the accident prevention committee of the state government. What is the function of that panel?
The accident prevention committee has been appointed by the state government comprising members from the government and NGOs. Our task is to identify accident-prone areas on the state highways and then recommend the state government to take steps to curb mishaps in those areas. We have covered about 29, 000 km of the state highway and found out that there are 15,000 accident-prone spots. The state government has taken corrective measures on 9,000 such spots.
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