Who cares for road safety?

Shri R S Gujral
Chairman
National Highway Authority of India
New Delhi
India

Dear Mr Gujral,

Sub: Unsafe Carriage of Marble Stones on NH8 in Rajasthan

Currently on a roadtrip starting from New Delhi to various parts of India using heavy commercial vehicles as a mode of transport to understand highway conditions and other related issues – including the highhandedness of police and RTOs in dealing with truck drivers.

Yesterday I was passing through the state of Rajasthan. I began to notice a heavy flow of HCVs loaded with massive stone structures on the trailer bed with no “strings attached”. None of the truck drivers cared to tie these massive marble stones being carried for business purposes. According to residents of Bhim taluka where I had halted for a day, these stones are being carried from Rajsamand where they are mined to Kishanrgarh for cutting and polishing. A solid distance of 200 odd kilometres. In a 24 hour cycle, these truckers deliver and return to Rajmasand for fresh load.

Many on this stretch claim a lot of accidents have taken place, neither the state government (Rajasthan government in this case), nor National Highway Authority of India have initiated any steps to stop this unsafe carriage of marble stones. It is also reliably learnt that many state level politicians and bureaucrats are benami owners of such truck business and it is alleged explain the unresponsiveness of NHAI and Rajasthan government.

Sir, considering the fact that the present Minister in charge of Road Transport and Highways Mr C P Joshi hails from this state, it is shocking to witness this callousness of NHAI. Mr Joshi’s own part – Congress – rules the state. It is nothing short of shameful. Monetary considerations seem to have put the life of “aam janta” on a death threat.

Sir, it is high time NHAI moves in quickly to ensure some stringent norms are implemented and make truckers carrying such massive marble stones are per force compelled to tie their ware in whatever way possible to ensure the safety of other road users.

Let us not forget that fact that most of these trucks are “overloaded” carrying material beyond their capacity permitted. So, imagine the amount of wear and tear the expensive national highways suffer which has been funded from the public chequer. While it is laudable that the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways is pursuing the dream of 20 km/day construction of fresh highways, it is equally of paramount importance to safeguard the existing ones.

It is sad that despite the Supreme Court 2005 ruling on overload, no one is listening.

If Overdimensional Cargo (ODC) carriers are complying with strict regulations, why not the marble stone carriers?

Am marking of this note to Hon’ble Minister Mr P C Joshi, Rajasthan Chief Minister Mr Ashok Gehlot and Mrs Sonia Gandhi, President of Indian National Congress whose party rules Rajasthan. Of course, a copy goes to the Prime Minister’s Office as well.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Sincerely,

Ramesh Kumar
Consulting Editor,
SAARC Journal of Transport & Logistics Times

Cc:

Mr C P Joshi, Hon’ble Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Govt of India
Mr Ashok Gehlot, Chief Minister, Rajasthan
Mrs Sonia Gandhi, President, Indian National Congress
The Prime Minister’s Office