Hyderabad, the garden city. Its boasts of having a perfect blend of both historic and modern cultures, providing the residents, an unique ambiance of pleasure and purpose. However, one thing that makes this experience a little unpleasant is the traffic. Though the city boasts of the best roads any metro has got, the traffic sense of the people is peanuts. For most of the outsiders who visit hydrabad, driving in the city is a night mare. what more, these days, it has become a topic of discussion even amongst the foreigners. There was one Mr X who flew down to Hyderabad from NY on a business visit. After reaching the office, the first remark he made was 'Gawd..you ppl owe a lot to him for being alive even after driving in this kinda traffik daily!!!!' and guess what, the other day, I found him telling that same to his wife on the phone. Assuming that atleast 80-90 % of the ppl experience such a situation, its enough to say that the issue is not just in the local news papers any more.
Nyways, coming to the reasons for having such a hopeless traffic, my first pick would be lack of stern implementation of traffic rules. You would be mistaken if you think hyderabad does not have an extensive traffic code. The only thing it lacks is the active participation of the traffic police. They are either too lethargic or too corrupt to actually enforce the rules. Pick up any guy who violates the rule and ask him why. He would smile and say 'Its ok yaar. I'm in an urgency. Nyways, even if I get caught, I have got a few notes in my pocket to rub that off'
I myself have seen many situations where in though there was a blatant break down of the traffic laws, the police were not much bothered about solving it (unless there is a wireless mesg from the ACP instructing/rather bawling out at him to clear that mess off).
I hear some ppl arguing that rather than a tough implementation of rules, the self realization of people is very much important. But, I feel that its too mild a medicine to cure this contagious problem. Most often, people only see the immediate advantage of braking the rule rather than the disadvantage of doing so. So, most of them tend to break the law. The other day, while I was talking to the driver of an auto rickshaw that I boarded, he tried breaking the signal near a traffic junction. Immediately, I blurted out at him for doing so and asked him to go back, which, he meekly acquiesced. Later, when I asked him as to what prompts him to such things, he grumbled ' See Sir, most of the people hear break the rule and in some sense, its become the law of the land. So, what is the point in me alone following the rule? '
True....there was nothing wrong in his explanation. You cannot ask him to become the role model and observe the rules when everyone else gives a damn to it. And its not very far away from the truth that almost 40-50 % of the vehicle goers do break the traffic rules frequently.
Well, the point that I want to drive home is the situation is very serious and complicated and so, we can't have the privilege of waiting for a kind of silent revolution to mend the people's minds. The problem requires an immediate feasible solution and that is an effective check on the commuters. Unless people are forced, things won't change.
also, many other measures for increasing the awareness amongst the people on the potential dangers of traffic rule violation , coupled with an efficient traffic network would ease the tensions and fears of the people.
Thats all from me for today
Luv