Malu Kerni
Jammu: In our state, administration issue orders, make fake promises with people and then forgets to implement it. The orders and rules remains confined to papers only and with the passage of time it fades away. An order was issued in 2009, directing drives and conductors of commercial vehicles like matadors and buses to wear khaki colour shirts and trousers for easy identification. But the district administration has failed to implement its order asking drivers and conductors of commercial vehicles to wear a proper uniform.
“The traffic police has failed to punish erring mini-bus drivers, who seem to break rules with impunity. There is total chaos on city roads. Even the basic rules have not been enforced by the men in blue,” said Sham Sharma, a local resident. “The failure of the “uniform” policy is due to the nexus running between traffic personnel and drivers, as many police officials allegedly receive fee or Hafta at several points on a monthly basis,” added Sharma.
Ragini Sharma, a college student said, “It is really sad that the administration is overlooking the manner in which seats are altered by matador owners to allow overloading of passengers. The approved seating capacity of a Tata 407 mini bus is 17 and that of Swaraj Mazda is 21. But over 90 per cent mini buses do not adhere to the rules and indulge in overloading and no one stops or fine such mini bus operators.”
Most passenger vehicles plying on Roop Nagar, Durga Nagar, Rajinder Nagar, Bari Brahmana, Channi Himmat, Sainik Colony, Preet Nagar and Greater Kailash routes have altered seats, posing a threat to the lives of passengers.
“Instead of formulating big plans, the administration should first implement simple rules. The problem of traffic violations will be addressed automatically,” says Sugandha Mahajan, a student. Priyanka Bharti, a home maker said, “I have never seen a mini bus operator wearing uniform or following traffic rules and what’s shocking is that all this is happening right in front of the cops. Here, rules and orders are only issued in well organized press conference and then are dumped in files.”
