ROADTRIP: Neemrana Japanese Zone

The government of Rajasthan has been lucky and clever enough to cash in on its proximity to NCR: read Gurgaon in the neighbouring Haryana. Over three decades ago when India’s people car “Maruti Suzuki” set up tent in Gurgaon, it led to the industrialization of the predominantly agrarian north Indian state. Over the years, the stupendous growth of India’s number one passenger car manufacturer has led to the mushrooming growth of autocomponent manufacturers in Gurgaon and beyond. With Maruti expanding to put up another huge plant at Manesar , fresh vendors sensed an opportunity to set up shops in Bawal as well. Unforutnately for Haryana, its border ended at Bawal.

That is perhaps what might have led the rulers of neighbouring Rajasthan state to dream about a huge industrial estate on modern lines. Not haphazard growth for them, may be. Presto, comes up Neemrana Japanese Zone. I heard about him NJZ through a casual conversation with Nippon Express (3PL players) executives at the recently held India Warehouse Show. Until then, Neemrana meant the heritage hotel and nothing else for me.

As my truck passed through Neerama, my camera began clicking the upcoming NJZ. It is still early days. With Japanese settling down in their typical businesslike fashion, this region is going to witness a huge industrial base. I look forward to spending sometime in the near future.

Japanese companies are media shy. With Rajasthan Industrial Investment Corporation (RIICO) supporting this initiative, it wil be a perfect showcase for them to boast of their state as industry-friendly as the neighbouring Harayana in the north and Gujarat in the south. I luv it! Pardon, McDee for coining your trademark slogan!

ROADTRIP: @ Daruhera

Some people leave indelible impressions on you forever. Deepak Shandilya was one such gent. He is in his late twenties and operates out of Dharuhera office of M.R.S. Parivahan Private Limited. This tilak sporting Haryanvi manages the logistics of transporting Hero Honda two-wheelers from Dharuhera plant to the entire Gujarat. Besides Hero Honda, his company is the north India distributor for Neel Kamal bins, pallets etc.

What is so special about him and why I claim he left an “indelible impression”? Good question. Last week, I ran into his parking lot on the National Highway 8 where my Driver Vikram Singh’s younger brother Sohan Singh works. It was a family reunion for Vikram and his two brothers. Raju works as co-driver with Vikram. They only meet on highways, which is a common characteristics of driving community giving their work nature. Even family functions do not bring them together. For instance, Vikram’s nephew – his elder sister’s son is getting married this month and Vikram and Raju won’t be present due to their work pressure.

Coming back to Deepak, Sohan Singh is one of his blue eyed drivers. During the casual chat, Sohan spoke about his chota malik. He said had Deepak been in town, he could have arranged a meeting with him for me. He was unsure whether Deepak would turn up before we leave. We had tea together and left. Hardly we crossed three kilometers before Vikram’s mobile phone began to ring. It was Sohan on line and he said Deepak had come to office and he (Deepak) wanted to meet me. Vikram said he would not be able to turn the truck and return. Then Sohan said, Deepak is sending his car to pick us up wherever we were on the highway and return us to our truck after the meeting. Unique for me.

Vikram halted the truck on the side without blocking the highway and soon an airconditioned car arrived and we boarded the same to return to M.R.S. Parivahan office. The young scion greeted us and took me to his tiny office room. Lean, but energetic handshake gave an idea of his prowess. He spoke in detail about his business. What does M.R.S. stand for? Mohindra Road Sushil. His father has given the charge of running the business to Deepak and the Kaushik brothers. Sushil Kaushik is a director of the company operates out of Vapi while his younger sibling manages from Jammu where Neel Kamal has a manufacturing facility. Deepak, affectionately called “BUnty” by his family and friends, manages to send 5-6 trucks carrying Hero Honda vehicles: either in 55 or 65 or 78 capacity carriers. Come back on your return to Delhi and we will sit and talk is what he told as we bid goodbye and departed. See you soon, Deepak! God be with you.

KSRTC passenger fare hike

Suchith Kidiyoor

Travelling in Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses is becoming more expensive with each passing year. For a change, fuel prices are not to blame. Instead, toll charges are the cause.

With new toll roads coming up in various parts of the state and outside, KSRTC has been forced to hike ticket prices. The KSRTC operates 7,011 services to various destinations in the state and outside. Officials say their buses pay toll at over 40 places.

K A Rajkumar, director (operations), says, “The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is not willing to exempt our buses from toll. We are paying toll on almost all busy highways and the amount adds up to a substantial sum.

“For example, on the Bangalore-Mumbai route, KSRTC buses pay toll at more than six points. Hence, we are adding toll charges to the ticket fare.”

On the Bangalore-Mumbai route, the toll works out to Rs 10 per passenger. On the Chennai route, each passenger shells out Rs 6 as toll charge.

An NHAI official said, “Though state transport undertakings have requested exemption from toll for their vehicles, we can't oblige. They do not fall under the category of non-commercial vehicles.”

The latest addition to the toll list is Chikballapur road.

Rajkumar said, “We operate around 300 buses on Chikballapur road. The major destinations are Chikkaballapur, Hyderabad, Bellary and Puttaparthi. If our buses have to pay toll, we are certainly going to increase the fare.”

If NHAI collects Rs 60 for the 22 km stretch, ticket prices may be hiked by up to Rs 2 per passenger.

Source: Bangalore Mirror

DTC Bus Ride-5

DL 1P - C 9791 is a brand new low-floor Tata Macropolo.

Was travelling from Mehrauli to Saket recently under Route No. 427 plying to Hazarat Nizamuddin Railway Station Terminus.

The non-a/c bus was naturally crowded because it was peak time.

I noticed two handbills stuck inside the bus just near the front door.

No, it was not a DTC notice, but a private one inviting prospective candidates to call up a particular mobile number for a suitable job in hoteliering.

Another handbill of the same "illegal advertiser" was pasted bang opposite the rear door. No passenger can miss it.

Definitely DTC officials have noticed this "illegal presence" of billboard. It appeared that some effort has been taken to "disfigure" - is that the right word? - and partly succeeded with the front door one.

I wonder whether "official action" initiated against the advertiser. If yes, I would like to know.

It is no secret who the advertiser is. It ought to be the advertiser himself/herself. Why should anyone else take the trouble of printing and pasting inside public transport?

The mobile number of the advertiser is printed boldly and legibly.

Catching up with him/her ought not to pose any challenges.

The financially weak DTC should look at enhancing its revenue by leasing out space to advertisers inside DTC buses - like they do in Delhi Metro. Not a bad idea.

With such a huge fleet, the reach is phenomenal. Why not?

Any tresspasser should be brought to book and imposed a heavy penalty.

Any takers?

Volvo Buses, costly option for KSRTC?

The 'Bus Day,' earlier scheduled to be held in city on Apr. 8 by the KSRTC Mysore Urban Division, will now be held on Apr. 9, according to M.N. Srinivas, KSRTC Divisional Controller.

As the Bus Day is being celebrated for the first time in city after the success of the Bus Day concept in Bangalore, KSRTC Managing Director Gaurav Gupta had convened a meeting of officials, NGOs and concerned citizens at the Deputy Commissioner's Office in Mysore on Mar. 22.

Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) member Vasanthkumar Mysoremath, who also took part in the deliberations, has given the following suggestions to make the Bus Day a success:

1. Condition of roads in Mysore City: Good roads help in a safe commuting experience. Bad roads lead to stress for drivers and tragic accidents have taken place in Mysore city due to roads being riddled with deep potholes. Vehicles will have to be slowed down and frequent shifting of gears results in consumption of extra fuel, carbon emission, climate change, environmental pollution, thus resulting in avoidable misuse of highly subsidised fuel supply.

There is an urgent need for asphalting the roads by authori-ties concerned so that public transport can be speeded up and become attractive for people to shift from other modes of private transport to public transport.

2. Volvo buses are uneconomical: It is reported that KS-RTC has incurred a cumulative loss of more than Rs. 27 crore in running Volvos and other hi-end air-conditioned buses. Volvo buses need smooth and velvety roads in order to get the best from their class of vehicles. Mysore's potholed roads are weakening the very structure/body of such hi-tech buses and their mileage/cost of running per km (2-3 kms per litre of fuel) is dismal.

Frequent substituion of dama-ged parts by Volvo are costing a fortune for KSRTC and it is bound by Annual Maintenance Contract agreement from the Volvo technicians and KSRTC mechanics are forbidden from touching these vehicles. Most of all, even with highly reduced fares (subsi-dised?), Volvos are not running to their full capacity.

3. Need for more decent ordinary buses: The need of the hour is clean, decent and fast moving ordinary buses for catering to the majority of commuters to help them reach their destinations. Time for introspection for KSRTC; Preference must be given to procure more number of ordinary buses and purchase of exorbitantly costly Volvos, Marcopolos and Mercedes Benz buses may be reconsidered and either deferred or cancelled until a congenial commuting environment is created.

At present, there is a highly stratified system of making avail-able proper transport system between urban and mofussil commuters. City Bus Stand has been remodelled at considerable cost whereas the neighboring mofussil bus stand is in shambles and buses running to such destinations are invariably worn out ones that are not properly maintained with hygiene. This needs to be corrected immediately and a sense that all commuters are equal must be imbibed.

4. JnNURM Funds and Mega Structures: In the name of creating infrastructure and for utilising sizeable JNNURM funds, mega concrete structures are being constructed in the form of TTMCs in different corners of Mysore City; their grotesque designs not keeping with the architectural and heritage values of Mysore. Buses do not run on storeyed buildings, they have to run on well-laid roads catering to the basic need of commuting.

Moreover, people use bus stations as transit points and they have no time for shopping or for hanging out. They need frequent fast moving transport system.

Therefore, it is necessary to give importance for creating good sheltered, clean and neat bus stations with minimum needs of decent seating arrangement, clean toilets and drinking water facility. This should be the priority of city service since it is wedded to the cause of social responsibility of providing decent commu-ting experience to the masses. This will infuse confidence in the minds of people and they will get attracted towards public transport.

5. Facilities in buses: Disabled-friendly infrastructure at bus stations, first-aid kits in buses (at present majority of the buses do not have first-aid kits even though rules prescribe providing the same in all buses), fire fighting facility, drinking water facility in buses are some of the needs of the commuters.

6. KSRTC has to develop long term perspective plans: It is reliably predicted that with business as usual, fossil fuel crude oil will be in short supply in about 20 years. This is bound to create a huge gap between demand and supply for petroleum products like diesel, petrol and kerosene. Fuel in future will cost a fortune and not all people will be able to afford the exorbitant cost for running their private vehicles. Thus they will be looking up to public transport system for their commuting needs.

There is bound to be a slump in two-wheel / four-wheel industry due to less demand. This is where KSRTC has to step in and cater to the huge demand. For this, it will be necessary to create a congenial environment for public transport from now itself.

7. Behaviour of crew: Even though KSRTC is organising periodical trainings in different aspects of behavioural science, many of them behave in a rough and tough manner with commuters. Many drivers, particularly in mofussil buses, smoke or keep chewing ghutka or paan, spitting and / or talking on mobile phones while driving with one hand. This is unbecoming of public servants. Periodical checking and taking corrective measures will instill confidence in minds of public.

Many conductors do not carry enough coins of different deno-minations. They cleverly do not hand over the change while issuing tickets, stay inside the bus and signal to driver to move, even while commuters would have alighted and waiting for the change; in some cases, he adds up a few of commuters' change, hands over a currency note to distribute among themselves.

Some conductors shout at the commuters when a hapless commuter hands out a higher deno-mination currency note. These things have to be set right so that people will be happy to see a crew who are courteous.

Another rude behaviour is when ladies or senior citizens complain about able-bodied people occupying seats reserved for them, the conductor never responds and shouts back at them to keep quiet since he cannot make those unauthorised occupants vacate the seats. When he is an official, he has every right to uphold the law and it is his business to come to the rescue of those helpless souls.

In some neighboring States, even though ladies seats are vacant, men do not occupy them. This problem needs rectification through proper checks.

8. Non-stoppage of buses at Bus Stops/Shelters: Buses are not keeping their schedules either for want of crew or good buses. Cluttering of a number of buses on the same route are noticed; TCs may be phasing out the trips but drivers either drive speedily and overtake other buses without stopping their buses at the bus stops or by stopping them far away. Some buses skip the bus stops.

For example, Andolana newspaper has constructed a bus stop on Ramanuja Road and except for a few city buses, other mofussil buses do not stop even though many villagers wait after taking treatment etc. from JSS Hospital. Drivers do not pick up commuters even though they hold up their hand as a request. Such behaviours need correction.

If the above suggestions are considered and adopted, people will be happy to find their public transport attractive and may make every day a Bus Day.

Courtesy: voiceofmysore.com

Ircon "Mangalored"!

Letter to The President, KCCI, Mangalore.

Dear Sir,

Sub: Report on Representation at “District Level Road Safety” Meeting on 13/04/2011.

Issues raised on inferior quality of four way lane highway vide letter bearing reference No.: PS/KCCI/001/2011 dated 13/04/2011 Constructed under “New Mangalore Ort Connectivity Project of NHAI by M/s Ircon is taken very seriously and Committee consisting of Senior officials from RTO, Commisionarate of Police, D.K. District Police, M.C.C., PWD and KCCI is formed by the Honable District Commissioner to inspect the poor quality from highway from B.C. Road to Surathkal, and report to District Administration.

In turn, District Administration will take up matter with NHAI based on the contents of report.

NHAI was represented by Mr. P.Geprge Modayil, Team Leader, Sai Consulting Engineers Pvt Ltd., Preoject Office: D.No.: 2-2-72/14, Bishop Compound, Yeyyadi, Konchady Post, Mangalore -575008 (phone : 0824-2201010 Fax: 2224011 Cell: 9448058113 E-mail: mangalore@saiindia.com & modayali49@Yahoo.co.in. He was taken aback by all present when started defending the quality of construction by giving absurd explanations.

After, through discussion, it was decided to hold a Joint inspection on, Monday, 18th April 2011. Senior officials nominated by the concerned authorities will meet at Circuit Ho at 10.00 A.M. use, Kadri Hills, Mangalore and then to proceed to B.C. Road to start the task which will terminate at Surathkal. I have taken up the responsibility of preparing the report based on the observations of all concerned in the presence of Mr. Modayil.

The report will be signed by all concerned after completion of inspection. Mr. Modayil will sign as an authorized person from NHAI as proof for existing defects.

My letter No.: PS/KCCI/001/2011 dated 13/04/2011 is attached for your ready reference. It supersedes previous developments, as my complaint now registered with Vigilance Department of NHAI under complaint No.: OTH#313 dated 05/04/2011.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely,

Sd/…


(Praveenchandra Shetty)
Chairman,
Road Safety Sub-Committee, KCCI.
Praveenchandra Shetty
D.M.E. (Auto Tech), A.I.I.S.A.
Surveyor/Loss Assessor (Motor)
311- Kunil Complex,
Bendoorwell, Mangalore – 575 002
Tel: (O) 2437237/Fax: 4271377 Cell: 9845294577
e-mail : surveyorshetty@hotmail.com

--

Letter sent on: 07/04/2011

Mr. Subhodh Yadav, IAS
Deputy Commissioner, Dakshina Kannada District &
President, D.K.District Level Road Safety Committee,
Mangalore - 575 001.

Respected Sir,

Reg: D.K. District Level Road Safety Committee Meeting-Issues & Suggestions.

We thank you very much for your invitation to participate in this D.K. District Level Road Safety Committee meeting on 07/04/2011 at D. C. Office Hall, Mangalore.

I take this opportunity to bring it to your kind notice the following issues and my suggestions to prevent such occurrences based on the technical study carried out by me in the following issues:

1. Catastrophic Flood at Kodial Gutthu Surrounding:

The said flood was witnessed by the citizen of Mangalore, last year for the first time since last two decades. Torrential rains in the last year poured for almost 6 moths (as against normal 4 moths) caused this flood. Rain water canal is filled with abundant quantity of dumped debris from construction activities throughout its length. This has reduced its capacity to allow free flow of rain water in terms of volume per minute. Hence thorough cleaning of rain water canal running from Anegundi to Bunder (running through Bejai, Kodialbail, Bhojarao Lane, Alake till it joins sea) is warranted.

2. Catastrophic Flood at Lohit Nagar, Kottra Chowki, Malemar & 4th Mile Surrounding:

Water logging at this area is caused due to blockage of free flow of rain water due to construction roads without proper open rain water drain and housing sites in the locality. Free flow of rain water from Lohit Nagar is blocked at Malemar on eastern side of highway, which finds its way to sea via a canal that runs by the side of service road (road connecting Kottra Chowki- Maladi) and crosses N.H.No.: 17 near 4th Mile, to join sea through the canal running by the side of a vacant site (once leveled to construct Mangalore Stock Exchange). Water from eastern side of highway is blocked from entering this canal from Kottra Chowki Junction till culvert at 4th Mile due to conversion of low lying fields into housing sites, raising the ground height by around 2 to 3 feet. Hence free passage to flow of rain water needs to be provided.

3. Damage to Shirady Ghat during monsoon:

During monsoon, surface hardness of road reduces due to entry of rain water molecules into earth. Tractor/Trailers, means a combination of Vehicle Horse and Bullet tank (vehicles manufactures with 6 wheels on chassis coupled with trailer having 8 wheels; i.e. 14 wheels in all); cause irreparable damage to road on curves & hair-pin bends. Since these trailing axles are not fitted with differential unit consisting of crown/pinion/star gears, they drag the soil sideways on the turnings (as direction of horse changes with respect to rear trailer on curves 7 hair pin bends). This remained as the main cause of damage to curves & hair-pin turns in Shirady Ghat and for all ghat sections in our country, for all these years.

Hence, prohibition on movement of Tractor-Trailer (3515/3516 Trailers) having combination of 14 wheels should be implemented during monsoon. Alternatively, Transportation of LPG by bullet tanker built on Multi Axle Trucks (M/A) with 10 Wheels (2515/2516 drive Away chassis) only to be allowed during monsoon.

Tractor–Trailer combination is meant for long hauling on straight stretch of roads on level terrain. They are unsafe (gets detached and ruptures into two parts on curves), dangerous (causes more number of accidents enroute) and



un-suitable (causes more traffic congestions enroute) to be used on Mangalore-Bangalore Road (to be précised between B.C.Road and Hassan). These tractor-trailer vehicles cause extensive loss to NHAI in terms of higher cost of annual road maintenance.

4. Inferior quality of fly-over Bridges at Kuntikan & Kottra Chowki Junctions:

Build quality of both these fly-over bridges are not acceptable in any existing industry standard. Approach ramps and exit landings are very dangerous by way of un-intended concave pockets. Uniform thicknesses of tarred surface within the spans are not maintained. Span edges are at different levels on their adjoining edges. Surface levels of spans are miserably inclined to several directions on a horizontal plane. Tarred surface have inherent defect by means of circular minute ditches. Vehicles bounce up at the entry point, ramble along the bridge between the spans and get pressed down all of a sudden and lift up violently at exit point. M/s Ircon should first learn the technique of road building from M/s L&T or M/s GMR before proceeding with pending construction of fly-over at work Kulur Junction & at Surathkal City. (from the road built by these two companies between Bangalore & Hyderabad).

5. Traffic Circle at K.P.T Junction:

Width of passage around the circle is much smaller than that of approach roads. Passage at circle is inadequate to maneuver two vehicles running side by side simultaneously. Road to Circuit-House from this circle is off-centered. Islands around the circle, between the approach roads are out of shape in totality. This junction does not qualify to be fit for safer use in any manner as poses severe danger to motorists, especially for traffic entering from other cities/towns/states. Hence, this circle need to be corrected as per guidelines of IRC.

6. Surface level of stretch of road between KPT Junction & Padav School Junctions:

Little less than 1.5 Kms. of stretch of road (in North-South direction) is built with three different surface levels. Vehicle bounces upwards thrice on these edges. In fact, this was the easiest stretch to construct without any slope/curve/obstruction. Hence, these defects need to be rectified.

7. White Paint on Lane Marking:

Lane marking along the newly constructed highway is almost disappeared within 3-4 months of use due to poor quality of paint used for the task. As these mark act as indicator to judge the direction of road during night driving; the purpose of same is not served and miserably defeated. Hence, repainting need to be carried out using paint approved by NHAI.

8. Use of round marble pebbles as soling between Maroli & Nathoor:

Use of round marble pebbles reduces force of bonding on the sole of tar road. As heavy vehicles pass through this road, the pebbles slide sideways and give rise to potholes in monsoon. Abundant quantities of pebbles are used in this stretch as against graded sand, to save on cost of construction by compromising on quality and neglecting specifications. Hence, this stretch needs intervention of Chief Vigilance Officer of NHAI.

We request you to kindly look into the matter and oblige.

In anticipation of safer roads, we remain.

Yours sincerely,




(Praveenchandra Shetty)
Chairman, Road Safety Sub-Committee,
KCCI, Mangalore.
CC:
Mr. Seemanth Kumar Singh, Commissioner of Police, Mangalore.
Mr. Labhu Ram, Superindent of Police, Dakshina Kannada District.
Mr. K.N.Vijayaprakash, Commissioner, MCC, Mangalore.
Mr. Buluvali, RTO, Mangalore.
Mr. Alok Prasad, Chief Vigilance Officer, NHAI, New Delhi.

DTC Bus Ride-4

Two positives. Rather two cheers, I wish to share.

One, I notice stricter implementation of uniform code for Drivers and Conductors. I appreciate that. A uniformed crew gives a professional image to any organisation. DTC, no doubt is a business outfit, owned by government.

State PSUs ought not to present a lackadaisical look. It can be run profitably through better look and feel.

When I travel, I look at it as an experience. Like I do when I visit cinema halls or multiplexes. Not just to see movies, but to soak in the ambience.

Similarly, all of us in a way get into a different zone when he travel: short or long ride.

That's where the look and feel comes to play a big role.

I recollect the uniformed, clean-shaven drivers of Dubai bus services. Most of them Pakistanis, they are polite, English speaking (not insisting that DTC drivers must speak Queen's English!) and wearing ties!

Though weather conditions are too hot even at the height of so-called wintery months, the full-fledged airconditioned buses afford them the luxury of sporting ties.

By the way, most of the Dubai buses were conductor-less. Drivers themselves tickets. But a large segment of commuters go for smart cards.

Entry into bus is only through the front door (closer to the driver).

Check out http://gulfdiary.blogspot.com to read my Dubai bus ride two years ago.

Secondly, I noticed that Mehrauli bus terminal is bereft of private buses which occupied or blocked space causing challenges for DTC buses to enter and exit.

I hope private bus operators have permanently shifted out their de-licensed buses from Mehrauli.

NOw, I think it is time for DTC to get the roads within the Terminal laid out.

DTC, what do you say?