Cooperation of all, civic sense can help

Roads are pretty safe, but when we read figures of accidents and fatalities involved then it seems to be the leading cause of death around the world. It is expected that by the year 2020, road crashes will be the seventh major reason of deaths in the world. Roads can be made safer with the cooperation of all and enhancing civic sense of citizens. Don’t use cell phones while driving. Be aware of the surroundings, including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Distracted driving is not limited to talking and texting. We should avoid eating, putting makeup or adjusting the car radio while driving. The factors for crashes across the globe include speeding, drunk driving and not wearing seat belt or helmet.  Traffic cops should keep a check on speeding drivers. Cyclist should be given full lane. Boards displaying safety norms should be installed along roadsides. Traffic parks should be maintained. Proper training should be given to new drivers. Roadside alcohol/drug test should be done at random so as to punish violators.

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Dr Jasdeep Kaur

Administration must take proper initiatives 

Roads in the industrial area must be safe for pedestrians and commuters, who regularly travel to work. The authorities concerned must take initiative for guiding pedestrians. Signages must be installed along roads to give necessary information to commuters. The main reason for accidents is inattentiveness of pedestrians. We find most people texting on mobiles or listening to music as they walk on roads. The use of personal gadgets causes mishaps especially around the industrial area. Roads must have proper markings and traffic signs.  

Manpriya Kaur

Always stay alert to be on safer side

The number of vehicles has increased in the city during the past few years. Though road network has also improved a little bit, congestion of vehicles has aggravated safety-related issues in every nook and corner of the city. Further, high-speed vehicles sharing space with vulnerable road users, unsafe infrastructure and plying of poor condition vehicles, has made driving and walking in the city nothing less than an Herculean task. Due to lack of a systematic approach for formulation of road safety improvement programme the number of road accidents causing injuries, deaths and loss of public property are increasing with each passing day. The police instead of enforcing traffic laws and protecting commuters and pedestrians prefer to generate revenue through challans. The government fails to understand that safety of commuters and pedestrians is more important. The principles of behaviour-based safety (BBS) programmes must be implemented widely to increase road safety. Besides, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and state governments must develop a joint strategy and implement time-bound action plan to strengthen provisions for regulating road users. The gap in the legislative framework that governs road safety must be plugged. Moreover, avoid rush hours, always follow signals, don’t chase a moron ahead of you, never use lights on high beam, stop honking and stay alert while walking or driving.

Ravi Chander Garg

Traffic cops must install CCTVs 

When the watchdog is corrupt none can cure the disease called traffic problems. I may sound harsh but it is reality. The traffic is better managed in Chandigarh. I am not sure if policemen in the city beautiful are saints, but they are better disciplined on roads. People take advantage of the administration’s laxity and create traffic mess. CCTVs must be installed at major points to check violation of traffic rules and corruption. Our Municipal Corporation and the PWD Department don’t maintain and mark roads properly. This aggravates problem of safety on roads. 

Major Gurdeep S Samra (retd)

Don’t spare violators of traffic rules

To ensure that the industrial town is safe for commuters and pedestrians, the Municipal Corporation must keep roads in well-maintained condition and without potholes. Poor roads lead to accidents, which many times prove fatal for pedestrians. The MC must repair roads before and after the rainy season. All road-crossings in the city must have traffic control lights. Zebra lines must be painted on the area meant for crossing by pedestrians. The sidelanes must have stop signs. Every vehicle entering main road from shorter stretch must stop for a few minutes. All roads must have signboards for guiding users.  The local police must stay alert especially during rush hours and guide drivers of vehicles and pedestrians to avoid accidents. The main cause of accidents is speeding, which must be checked by the police. Violators of traffic rules must not go unpunished due to administrative or political interference. The police must prepare a list of roads and crossings which are prone to mishaps. The people should learn driving vehicles and pedestrians must be educated about road safety rules so that they are not at risk.

Dr G Dev

Government depts must stop passing the buck 

After death of a person ‘Yamraj’ sent his soul to hell with a warning that he would now have to undergo punishment for his evil deeds in this earthly world. Person said it made no difference to him. Why? asked ‘Yamraj’. The person replied he came from Ludhiana, which was same like hell. One of the major factors, which make our city unfit for living, is its deplorable roads. The civic body has failed to carry out patch work on broken roads in the industrial areas B, C and various parts of the Focal Point. The commuters, especially two-wheeler riders, are often involved in mishaps due to potholed roads. Many roads are dug up for laying water supply and sewerage, but are not repaired properly. Civic body officials must keep a vigil on illegal digging of roads. Improper laying of underground cables by telecom companies has caused cave-ins at Chandigarh Road, Pakhowal Road, Kailash Cinema Road Link Road, Hambran Road and Ferozepur Road, besides other stretches. Majority of city roads fall under the MC jurisdiction. However, some roads come under the PWD, GLADA and the LIT. Besides, many times residents are unaware about the authority concerned as departments generally keep passing the buck when it comes to road repair. The government must setup a joint helpline centre for redressal of complaints related to roads. Proper signage, lighting, markings, delineation and traffic control devices must be provided on roads. A driver can lose control of his/her vehicle while passing through potholed roads. Investigation officials hardly consider this fact while writing FIRs of roads accidents. 

Deepak Nagpal 

Earmark lanes for different types of vehicles

The growth and development of any nation depends upon the transport, which comprises railways, waterways, airways and roadways. Roads are considered most important and useful as these carry maximum goods and human passengers. A well-organised road network portrays development of a particular region, city or state. But the condition of roads in Ludhiana is dismal. Commuters bear traffic jams in the city every day. In some areas roads are bumpy and full of potholes. Roads must be carpeted after every five years. Sewerage, water supply, telephone connections and electricity supply lines should be laid before carpeting roads and carrying out patch work. Those who dig roads must be punished. No religious, social or other functions must be allowed on roads. Under passages and flyovers must be constructed to lessen traffic congestion. Lanes should be earmarked for particular types of vehicles for the smooth flow of traffic and prevent jams. One central control room should monitor all traffic on roads in different areas of the city. The government collects many types of taxes, tolls and funds from the public, but does nothing to improve roads. If the local authorities, can carpet or construct a new road before the visit of any minister then why not the same facility is extended to residents. Ministers are elected representatives and they are not above other citizens. Rather they must solve our problems.

Dr Mohd Saleem Farooqui

Fix timings for entry, exit of trucks

Road accidents in the industrial area are on rise in the city. Such mishaps, which happen due to heavy rush on roads, have become problem for residents. Heavy trucks used by the industry for transporting goods, which are imported and exported, cause jams on roads. Safety of the people is responsibility of the government. To save lives of residents the government should seek cooperation of owners of industries. The condition of roads is bad in Ludhiana. Heavy vehicles have worsened roads, which also pose a risk to daily commuters. The government must construct special lanes for heavy vehicles. Timings for the entry and exit of trucks in the industrial area must be fixed. It should preferably be night hours to reduce the rush on roads in the city. 

Surekha Mahajan

Resolve all traffic-related problems in city

Despite being one of the leading industrial towns of the country, Ludhiana needs proper roads. Presently, city roads are in worst condition. These have big potholes, which inconvenience two-wheeler riders and drivers of other vehicles. Even pedestrians  suffer due to traffic congestion. The higher authorities should take adequate steps to make commuting safe and easy. Maintainance of roads should be taken care of from time to time. Speeding must be checked to prevent accidents. Encroachments should be removed as these create traffic snarls. The police must pay attention to traffic problems. Traffic lights must be installed in all areas. Zebra crossing should be marked for pedestrians. The government must focus on upgradation of road infrastructure. The administration must be apprised of traffic issues so that quick action can be initiated to save people from inconvenience. The public property must be protected at all cost.

Kalpna Maurya