A Point of Note
Prof.Mahesh Panse
Given the rampant “stunt-driving” antics currently being displayed by private travel operators on the Chandrapur-Gadchiroli route, a growing sense of public anxiety is becoming evident regarding the potential for an increase in road accidents in the future.
High-speed and illegal passenger transport constitutes a form of reckless stunt-driving that is proving to be lethal; numerous instances serving as proof of this fact can be witnessed intermittently along this National Highway.
These vehicles—which speed recklessly in a desperate bid to pick up passengers, often while overloaded and in blatant disregard of traffic regulations—pose a significant threat to other vehicles on the road. Their actions are proving to be a major impediment to road traffic safety. Several incidents involving accidents have come to light in the past as well, and many innocent citizens have had to bear the brunt of these mishaps.
The issue of “stunt-driving” by private travel operators appears to have transcended the mere scope of road safety and traffic violations; it has evolved into a matter of public safety that is both extremely grave and deeply concerning.
The administration finds itself squarely in the dock, facing direct questions in the wake of numerous incidents involving loss of life—whether caused by accidents resulting from sheer negligence, loss of vehicle control due to excessive speed, vehicle instability caused by overloading, or chain accidents triggered by reckless “stunt-driving” leading to collisions with other vehicles, ultimately resulting in the deaths of innocent passengers and citizens.
However, Why does it appear that no concrete or stringent action is being taken by the Police Administration, the Traffic Department, the RTO (Regional Transport Office),
or the National Highway Authority? Citizens are seen raising this indignant question…
The Stance of Social Organizations Remains Unclear…
Public resentment is mounting as social organizations and local office-bearers alike maintain a silence regarding these life-threatening incidents occurring on the Chandrapur-Gadchiroli Highway. The responsibility for ensuring safe road transport also lies with the private travel operators’ unions.
However, the question persists: why must their attitude remain—”We will neither mend our ways ourselves, nor allow anyone else to mend them”?
Senior officials of the concerned department must intervene immediately; they should launch a special drive against illegal travel operators and take strict action. Furthermore, they must conduct inquiries into accident cases and register criminal charges against those found guilty.
Strict regulations must be implemented to ensure passenger safety. It has now become absolutely imperative—for the sake of safe road transport—to bring the full force of the law down upon the reckless “stunt-driving” antics of private travel operators.
