Spread awareness against use of makeshift vehicles, admn urged

Malpractice of using commercial vehicles, especially those which are not meant for transporting people, for ferrying passengers is a growing concern in view of potential risk to lives of their occupants and other commuters on highways.

The practice is more prevalent in rural areas where people from lower strata of society opt to save money by travelling in unauthorised vehicles, that too with overloading and using unsafe routes to prevent action by the authorities concerned on highways.

Rampant use of makeshift vehicles. including outdated tempos, motorcycle carts and peter rehra, commonly known as ‘jugaad’ vehicles, has further increased potential risk to lives of occupants of such vehicles and other motorists on roads.

Situation worsens when unfit vehicles and carelessness of drivers result in accidents along unprotected banks of canals or canal bridges.

Such vehicles are normally used for visiting shrines, attending political rallies and social functions in this part of Malwa.

The tragedy in which at least six persons were reported dead and five others missing when a tempo carrying devotees returning from Shree Naina Devi had plunged into the Sirhind canal on Sunday night had recollected the nightmare of about 50 persons who had fallen victim to a similar incident over 18 years ago.

Sevadars at Gurdwara Karamsar (Rara Sahib) said six persons had died when a truck carrying about 50 devotees returning from Shree Naina Devi had fallen in the canal after hitting a tree trunk due to sudden narrowing of road.

The rescue operation conducted with the help of an Army unit had continued for at least three days then.

Army officials had also expressed disappointment over many issues, including operation of recovery vans due to poor condition of narrow roads.

In the present case too, the tragedy could have been averted, had the railing along the canal bank been intact.

Residents have urged the authorities to launch a campaign to spread awareness about risks involved in the malpractice of using of commercial and makeshift vehicles for ferrying passengers, even if punitive action is not taken soon.