Every time I hear my driver swear while driving on the roads, I am reminded of the above topic and feel that in Bhubaneswar we have become citizens of a metro minus the habits and sensitivities of one. Over the last five years, there has certainly been growth of concrete-laden structures like flyovers and multi-lane roads for public consumption, but we are subject to the same chaos on the roads or maybe a little worse as people are not used to driving on multi-lane roads. The following symptoms may have been observed by everyone:
· People driving on the wrong lanes
· Vehicles crossing from the wrong side
· Public transport like long-distance buses and autos occupying a main portion of the road waiting for passengers
· People crossing dividers
· Bicycles amidst fast-moving traffic
· Cows on the roads
It's not a difficult task to put up good infrastructure, but it certainly is a herculean task to ensure proper usage. let us have a look at the problems faced by people on account of wrong usage.
· People driving on wrong lanes
We have a lot of discussions about how we have four-lane and six-lane roads and do feel proud about it. If you ask someone about the traffic rules of such roads, they will not be able to give you the right answer, however educated they may be. It's not their fault. They have not been sensitised to this issue through any medium. On such a road like the one from the airport to KIIT Square, we find cars which have to go ahead, instead of driving on the left lane, driving close to the dividers and blocking the traffic who want to take a turn. Basically, they have no idea that they would move faster if they are on the left lane. Those vehicles which have to take a turn at the cut of the dividers keep moving on the left lane and suddenly just before the turn they change lanes, thereby blocking the traffic. Use of lanes and when to change lanes is a mystery to them.
· Vehicles crossing from the wrong side
It's a common sight to see vehicles, especially bikes, crossing from the wrong side, thereby causing danger to fast moving traffic and to themselves. I wonder how much of time and petrol they would be saving in the process.
Public transport like buses and autos occupying a main portion of the road waiting for passengers
At the Acharya Vihar crossing, almost the entire road has become like a stand for auto-rickshaws and buses. A car has to honk its way through. It's very good for the people who board those vehicles as I once found out by speaking to them. What about the other type of trafficIJ That too, it being a national highway. Such obstructions are found at Vani Vihar, Rajmahal and many other crossings too.
· People crossing dividers
On four-lane and six-lane roads, the traffic is expected to move fast; therefore, high dividers have been built separating the road into two sides. Particular space has been marked where people can cross safely. In spite of that, people cross the dividers at just about any place. Many have broken their limbs in the process.
· Bicycles amidst fast moving traffic
Usually keeping their safety in mind, bicycles are not allowed on the main roads. This is not so in Bhubaneswar. Quite a few people face accidents on this account, many of them facing brain injuries. On being asked, the cyclists say that they are not very comfortable with the public transport system and find it easier to move within nearby areas.
· Cows on roads
People are not supposed to be keeping cows within municipal limits, but it is not being followed here. Some cows die on the roads every month. To top it all, it's called as 'cow menace' as if they are responsible for the situation. Rather, it's a human menace as they cause it. It's very dangerous for the traffic on fast moving roads.
· Proposed reforms
The citizens have to be sensitised by the concerned authorities through mass media efforts and through simulation technique where they show how the traffic should move. Use of proper software and the audio and audiovisual media can be very effective for this purpose. It will ensure that vehicles can move faster and safer. TV ads will be the best means. Some transport specialists claim that white markers should be used to separate the lanes as it will remind the drivers. Ignorance has to be removed so that people voluntarily follow the norms. These matters cannot be solved by rules alone. Workshops of opinion makers and street plays can be held to further the cause. Even if one accident or a life can be saved then the effort can be counted as fruitful. Just to remind, it is a fact that the four-lane road from Jayadev Vihar to KIIT Square, which is one of the best in Bhubaneswar, is also one of the most accident-prone. I feel that the ignorance or the tendency not to follow is important causes.
We cannot do without buses or even auto-rickshaws with the latter happening to be one of the most commonly-used means of public transport. Proper areas have to be designated for their stopovers. Bicyclists have to be kept off main roads. The 'cow issue' has to be addressed by the people's forums with the help of the public. People crossing over the dividers should be imposed heavy fines so that they stop the practice. So should the case be with vehicles crossing over from the wrong side.
The basic idea is that all these changes can happen when we follow a bottom-up approach wherein people voluntarily adopt the traffic behaviour of a metro culture.
(The writer, a freelancer, is a futurologist and imparting spiritual guidance to young professionals. E-mail: sikta_pati@rediffmail.com)