I received a call from Vinayak Kumar Verma, who is a resident of Hari Nagar and has just returned from Boston where he is studying music. He met with an accident and is peeved with the way Delhiites drive and the Traffic cops behave.

He says, “I was standing at South Ex Part II when a scooterist hit me at full speed and I was badly injured. I took the scooterist to the traffic cops and was stunned to see the way they reacted. They very casually told me that ‘it is a normal thing in Delhi and they can’t help me.’ They just asked the name of the company where the scooterist was working and let him go away. The traffic police here needs to be friendly with citizen. When we talk to them they look away. They don’t look at your face when you talk to them. They aren’t attentive and don’t want to help you. The way Delhiites drive and the way traffic is managed, it’s simply madness!”

Generally when I meet people who are coming to India after a long gap, they only whine about the traffic problem in Delhi and most of them are shit scared about driving on Delhi roads. The same roads where they once learnt driving. However, after a stint abroad, they become wiser and their road behaviour becomes excellent. They are so refined drivers that they don’t venture out on the streets of Delhi without a driver.

Most of the foreigners I interview, the first think they remark about Delhi is the traffic scenario and the way Delhi drivers drive. In fact I met Dave Parry once, who is the guy behind the light and sound system and the Buttkicker Bodysonic Dance floor of Elevate at Noida. He is from UK and out of the two hours I spent with him, half an hour conversation was on the traffic scene and Delhi’s errant drivers. He was staying in Moti Bagh and for him driving everyday to Noida was a complete adventure full of stories.

I remember another classmate of mine Lokesh. He stays in Karol Bagh and was born and brought up there only. He was a typical Delhi driver ten years back and was an expert in zig-zag driving. I met him this February once and there’s a sea change in him. He was a guy who never had a habit of walking. Even to go from Khalsa College till SRCC, he used to always take his car. I met him in Karol Bagh market and he was on his way to a bank in Old Rajinder Nagar. I thought as usual he’d take out his car. But I was taken aback when he started a long discourse on the way Delhiites drive and how difficult it is for him now to drive on these roads again. He didn’t forget to remind me of how mad he was the way he used to drive earlier. He preferred walking the entire one-and-a-half kilometre stretch. How I just wish all Delhiites were like Lokesh.

I received a mail from Ankush Bansal who says that; “We had sent a request on July 7 to Jt CP (Traffic) regarding removal of red light and close the cut of the road divider at Sultanpuri crossing on NH-10 in order to ease traffic flow at NH 10 in Nangloi. Still no action has been taken until now.”

According to him the crossing serves no useful purpose on a National Highway. His reasons are -:

1. DTC buses no longer use this cut on the road divider anymore. All bus routes going to and fro from the Sultanpuri road have been closed. Thus this cut serves no purpose now.

2. There is no use of having two traffic signals within 90 metres on a National Highway. One major traffic signal is at the Najafgarh crossing and one small signal is just 90 metres away at Sultanpuri chowk. The Sultanpuri Chowk traffic signal causes unnecessary traffic congestion and thus should be closed.

3. The volume of the traffic on the crossing is very little. Primarily cycle rickshaws, push carts and two-wheelers use the crossing. They dont follow traffic rules and thus contribute towards traffic congestion and also are a danger to the vehicles plying on the National Highway.

4. With the closure of the cut, this traffic can easily use Najafgarh crossing on one side and the U-turn 150 metres down the road on the other side towards Peeragarhi crossing.

5. The closure of the cut will ease traffic congestion at Nangloi and result in better and controlled traffic movement.

The application says, “It is further suggested to close the existing verge near the LCD garbage bin 150 metres from Sultanpuri crossing (towards Peeragarhi) and a broad U-turn may be provided on the Central Verge further 100 metres down in front of Surajmal Stadium where the road is broader. This would smoothen the traffic flow and result in further decongestion of the area.”

Well, Ankush the procedure of closing these cuts and removing signals is a long one and takes a bit of time. I have again forwarded your application to Joint CP (Traffic). The closure of cuts takes political colour also sometimes as the local MLAs and MPs intervene. I remember on New Rohtak Road a cut had to be opened after it was closed since the area residents objected to it and asked their area MLA to intervene on this matter although just a hundred metres away there was another cut. So the cops take all these decisions judiciously and carefully.

I received a mail from MM Lal who writes, “The road leading towards Green park T-point (opposite UPHAAR Cinema) from Siri Fort red light crossing has three to four intersections. One immediately after the redlight of Siri Fort which is one of the entry point to enter GULMOHAR PARK and second one is a left turn towards Hauz Khas and immediately after there is right turn towards Gulmohar enclave/Gulmohar park/Gautam Nagar/Niti Bagh/Uday Park, etc. (This point is a bone of contention) When people negotiate the right turn from this point they simply come on the left hand side of the road which usually creates a traffic jam and I think personally this is the tendency of every body in Delhi that they don’t bother about their lane and simply try to jump the lane and come to the wrong lane which creates a traffic jam.

“The reason behind this jam is that the divider on this road is slightly too short which makes people take a right turn too early. I would suggest that this divider is extended at least five to ten yards more so that people taking right turn do not get into the traffic jam and vice versa the people coming from other side also can take left or right turn without any problem.

“I made this suggestions to the various traffic policemen standing on this intersection but to no avail. I hope this message will be of some help. Generally it is the tendency of every motorist in Delhi to overtake from the wrong side that too with continuos use of pressure horns till they get the side. Although we drive on the left side of the road but we observe the laws as if we drive on the right side of the road. In these circumstances those who want to drive correctly as per the rules of driving look like jokers.

“As per the ruling from the Delhi High Court recently that all the speed breakers should be removed from Delhi Roads. But unfortunately what has happened is that the speed breakers are being removed but what is left behind is a big pit, which is more dangerous than the speed breaker. Moreover, not all the speed breakers have been removed there are some which are still there in the Gulmohar Park area.”

The problem is Delhi drivers drive according to their convenience. They are the ones who will shout at others when they get struck due to some other person’s fault but won’t think twice when they themselves commit traffic offence. I have been constantly advocating that Delhi drivers should imbibe some civility into them. Only then we’ll free flowing traffic. Regarding speed breakers, I think it is temporary and the civic authorities will smoothen it with passage of time.

I received a letter from Sat Paul Arora who is a resident of Ashok Vihar. He writes, “I read the sad state of affairs in Janpath Lane and such things happen in many parts of Delhi. Take for example Ashok Vihar. I wonder sometimes that people sitting at the helm of affairs do not foresee such bottlenecks even in long-term point of view. The planners are not visionary enough. Take for example the entry road to Ashok Vihar from Mont Forte School. Right from Mont Forte School till the school at D block, this road is a mess. All the schools are located on this road and during the morning and afternoon, road gets blocked. Traffic is simply worse here as school buses are parked on both sides of the road. The presence of two-wheelers, three-wheelers, cycle-rickshaws, vans and taxis make this road a deadly zone where mishaps happen frequently. None from Traffic Police goes there to control and regulate traffic here, as jams are a common sight. I just request traffic police to depute traffic personnel to regulate traffic during the opening and closing of the schools to avoid major mishap as without them situation is worse.”

The problem with schools in residential locality is a big problem. I think the traffic police should ask the schools to have staggered timings so that the dispersal of students is in a way, which doesn’t affect the residents.

Meanwhile, long time back Avinash Rajput had given a traffic suggestion to either remove median/partition or provide speed breaker or yellow line on both sides of the Shakurbasti overhead Railway Bridge in between Britannia and Punjabi Bagh Flyovers. He sent me a mail again saying, “This hasn’t been done although the traffic inspector met me and took the suggestion from me. This was covered by you last year in July. I just request the traffic police to do something about it.” I just hope the traffic cops help resolve this issue.

I received a mail from Roy Manohar who writes, “It was nice to read your article on suggestion that road safety to be taught to kids. I would like to elaborate a bit more on this subject and I hope this would be read by some of the big brass our esteemed police force.

“Taking a positive view of the traffic situation, I would recommend the Traffic Department organize a Traffic Awareness Month. This method is adopted in foreign countries. During this whole month, police force is deployed in most of the signals and behaves very friendly.

“They inform the offenders very politely on the mistakes that are done and give them necessary inputs how to avoid them in the future.

“Adding a bit more activity during this awareness month, I would like to put a few more things that they can follow:
1. TV media can be used to graphically depict the traffic rules
2. Schools/Institutes to be provided with lectures and demonstrations of how to stick to disciplined traffic regulations. Also, teach how students can be morals to their parents by asking their parents to follow traffic rules.
School bus drivers (who are the frequent rule breakers) to be advised how they should be an example to the students who travel in their vehicles.
3. All Govt and Private companies or organizations need to be educated on traffic rules by giving lectures and demonstrations. Respective companies HRD department should be given all information to emphasize strict discipline by their employees (including their big bosses).

“Once, this is completed, the cops can go on spree of catching the offenders. But, all well said and done, unless the very basic attitude of our fellow citizens is changed by their internal conscience, it is very difficult.”

I fully agree with you Manohar regarding educating people with basic traffic rules. The Delhi Traffic Police does celebrate Road Safety Week, but your suggestion regarding celebrating Traffic Awareness Month is good. I think for one month the cops should go on a drive to teach all road users including the pedestrians to follow traffic rules and the rest eleven months go on filling up Home Ministry’s coffers without any guilt feeling. I also would like to add that the transport department should be very strict in issuing driving licence. The schools should encourage in teaching children traffic awareness. They should have books on traffic education in the library. One of the few books available in the market is “Safe Driving” by Hubert Ebner (011-30961359-60). This is the best available manual on traffic and rules of the road. Regarding understanding rules of transport department, the best book is “The Perfect Motoring” by Anil Chhikara (Published by Satya Prakashan – 25725679/25720653).

Rajnish Singh mailed me. He says, “I have been reading your column with great interest for the last so many months, appreciating the fact that there is at least one newspaper which is pin-pointing the concern of the common man and the road shows.

“Further to your article of August 11, I indeed agree with Harpreet Gill and would like to point out a very simple fact which we all see, ignore and move on. I am not talking about the biggest (albeit in relative terms) follies committed by biggies but by the law enforcers themselves. Have you ever noticed the PCR Vans, which are plying on the roads with the drivers and co-drivers on the front seats without bothering to wear their seat belts? I can challenge anybody if he/she can bring me a photograph of one of them following the rule of wearing the seat belt. Leave apart the drivers; even the seniors occupying the front seat do not bother to use their seat belts. Same goes with the vehicles from Defence. Their occupants feel it is their prerogative to decide and that they can easily get away with these violations and in fact they do.

“The reason for pointing out is that the law enforcers need to practice what they preach. If they have joined the forces, they should serve without any fear or personal motives. This is precisely the reason why our country can never progress at the pace, which we should in fact do. You mentioned about one transfer - imagine if all the cops on the road start behaving strictly, how many transfers would be there? This inappropriate means of punishing the right and honest will immediately stop.

“Though I have very little hope that we are likely to see the situation improve in our country (at least in the near future), I once again appreciate your efforts in bringing the issues to the notice of all.”

I agree with your views but I have noticed that most officers from traffic police make it a point to wear belts and obey rules. On the contrary, most of the Traffic Inspectors don’t wear seat belts while travelling. I think they should be the one to lead the way and show the way to the rest of police force by obeying rules. There is one Traffic Inspector who is so particular about following rules that he has even bought a small helmet for his three-year-old son. And whenever he rides his bike, he ensures that his son wears the helmet. He says, “Traffic education should be given right from childhood so that when my son grows up, obeying traffic rules will be in his blood and he would never flout them.” I just wish the rest of the force also thinks the same.

I received a mail from Avinash Rajput who writes, “I have been passing through the T-point at Agrasen Road, Pitampura and have been observing road accidents regularly at the aforesaid point. Lot of accidents happen here and no traffic policeman is posted at this T-point on Agrasen Road, Pitampura. In this way people do not care for traffic rules while crossing at this point.

“I met with an accident on August 1, 2005 while I was driving my scooter (DL 8S J 3960) on the particular road and sustained multiple injuries when a car (DL 1C B 7803) which was driven by the owner/driver rashly, negligently and at a very fast speed hit me and ran away. An FIR No. 647 dated 3.8.2005 under Sections 279/337 IPC PS Shalimar Bagh was lodged by me and the Police Post, Pitampura has neither tracked the said offending vehicle nor the driver/owner till date.

“May I therefore, request the Delhi Traffic Police to depute some traffic cop at the aforesaid point or provide traffic signals to avoid any future accident.”

A few months back I received a similar complaint by a lady whose aunt was severely injured in a hit-and-run case at the same location. At that time she was battling for life in Safdarjung Hospital. Actually her relatives wanted my help in tracing the vehicle. But I was helpless in helping them as none had noted the number. Actually there are lot of spots in Delhi where a traffic constable is not required to regulate traffic but his presence is required only to check the speeding vehicles. I think traffic police should earmark these spots and deploy constables so as to check such speeding vehicles. It will do a lot good to check such accidents.

I received a mail from Avinash Rajput who writes, “I have been passing through the T-point at Agrasen Road, Pitampura and have been observing road accidents regularly at the aforesaid point. Lot of accidents happen here and no traffic policeman is posted at this T-point on Agrasen Road, Pitampura. In this way people do not care for traffic rules while crossing at this point.

“I met with an accident on August 1, 2005 while I was driving my scooter (DL 8S J 3960) on the particular road and sustained multiple injuries when a car (DL 1C B 7803) which was driven by the owner/driver rashly, negligently and at a very fast speed hit me and ran away. An FIR No. 647 dated 3.8.2005 under Sections 279/337 IPC PS Shalimar Bagh was lodged by me and the Police Post, Pitampura has neither tracked the said offending vehicle nor the driver/owner till date.

“May I therefore, request the Delhi Traffic Police to depute some traffic cop at the aforesaid point or provide traffic signals to avoid any future accident.”

A few months back I received a similar complaint by a lady whose aunt was severely injured in a hit-and-run case at the same location. At that time she was battling for life in Safdarjung Hospital. Actually her relatives wanted my help in tracing the vehicle. But I was helpless in helping them as none had noted the number. Actually there are lot of spots in Delhi where a traffic constable is not required to regulate traffic but his presence is required only to check the speeding vehicles. I think traffic police should earmark these spots and deploy constables so as to check such speeding vehicles. It will do a lot good to check such accidents.

I received a mail from Harpreet Gill who has raised a very pertinent point regarding Kanwariya movement in the city. Although it is a bit late but I strongly feel something should be done to avert all kind of inconvenience to road users in Delhi next year. He writes, “Read your article on the Kanwariyas. I have a question to ask; do you really think that these political big wigs would allow the Delhi Police do anything. It is their vote bank. Votes in the name of religion! Even if the Police would want to control these political leaders will not let it happen.

“Things will be worst next year. Secondly read the figures of Delhi Police about the challaning of the motorists about the dark films. How many Political Leaders have they challaned? Any figures? I bet none and what about the official cars used by the IAS, IPS, Defence personnal etc, has anyone challened them or the traffic police has no guts to do it, they can only stop common man and prosecute them and then show figures to the press to come into the limelight to impress there superiors.

“They should start with their own vehicles. You for yourself see on the Delhi roads how many police vehicles have dark tinted glasses. Leave aside the political leaders and there chamchas. Well I guess someday things will change with efforts from people like you. I wish you all the very best on the good job done because I am sure it does affect the authorities.”

Well, I really want Delhiites to think and raise their voices about Kanwariya issue next year. The problem is they don’t even walk on the dedicated path that was made by cops on NH 8. They want to walk on the middle of the road. It was an accident that I saw on NH8 that prompted me to write about the issue of Kanwariyas in my column. Actually while on my way to Gurgaon, I saw a collision between a scooterist and a Kanwariya. An accident which could have been easily avoided had he been walking on the designated lane. Instead, he had decided to walk on the main road and not on the barricaded lane and it was dark. None could help it. Regarding the challaning of police vehicles, well, I would say “No Comment”.

Just few months back a sub inspector challaned a private vehicle of a Deputy Commissioner of Police and guess what? Poor soul got transferred! Now you can imagine the fruits of challaning biggies.

S.M. Hussain has responded to US Rana’s suggestion carried in my column on Monday. He writes, “I read with keen interest Mr. Rana's suggestion for strict implementation of traffic laws. I think it is impossible to implement any law in any country unless people abide by it and cooperate. It is impossible to post traffic police everywhere to enforce rules. Basically, we have to inculcate the habit of obeying traffic rules among children.

“Parents and teachers play a major role in this regard. The Delhi Government should make it compulsory to teach traffic rules in all private and public schools in Delhi. Schools have physical and moral education periods, library periods, hobby classes etc., once in a week. But unfortunately, no time is devoted to teach traffic rules.

“Schools undertake excursions and educational trips to far away places. But they hesitate to send their students to learn traffic rules at Traffic Training Parks run by the Delhi Police because of lack of infrastructure or time. Delhi Traffic Police should have regular visits to schools to teach children in their formative years to respect traffic laws. After all, these kids grow up to obey rules and regulations.

“Some parents feel proud when they see their fifth standard child make an attempt to drive a car. They encourage the children to learn driving at an early age. There are many cases where the parents get fake driving licences from other states for their school going kids. These kids are responsible for rash and negligent driving and accidents. The police should prosecute any student driving a vehicle in school uniform because he is under-aged.

“Parents strictly prohibit children to drive vehicles below eighteen years old. Media can also play a very important role by regularly featuring programmes on safe driving. Unless people make a pledge on this Independence Day not to drive fast, rash or over-take the other vehicles from wrong-side, not to park in no parking zones, jump red-lights, stop dangerous driving, respect the fellow drivers and religiously follow traffic rules any amount of book rules won’t help to curb accidents.”

Long time back I had written about the same thing in my column. I was once speaking to K.S. Bedi, a retired ACP from the road safety cell of traffic police. He told me that they do a lot of lectures regarding road etiquettes in schools, but he feels that until and unless it is not made a permanent subject at the primary school level, these lectures don’t help that much. I too feel strongly for it and wish road safety were being taught as a subject at the Primary school level.

I received a fax from U.S. Rana, a resident of Vasant Vihar and and one of the senior members of the Delhi Gymkhana Club. He has a piece of advice for the Ministry of Home Affairs. He writes, “We need a full time Commissioner of Police (Traffic) for the National Capital Region of Delhi and who else but Kiran Bedi is perfect for the job. The only ‘Kiran’ of hope for the hopeless traffic in Delhi is still around somewhere. She can bring some discipline in Delhi drivers. Let us get her back before it is too late.”

A noble suggestion but let’s see whether the MHA will listen to the plea. However, there’s some development in Delhi Traffic Police right now. Former high profile DCP (Traffic) M.S. Upadhaye has been shifted to Delhi now from Arunachal Pradesh and Commissioner K.K. Paul is keen on making him the Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic). This post is a newly created one.

Rana further writes, “We have the best and perhaps the largest number of Rules and Laws about traffic and safety on the road. However, the road users don’t follow them and the cops don’t enforce the law completely. They prosecute selectively. The government-owned white ambassador cars are never challaned. Something should be done regarding this.”

Dear Mr Rana, Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Qamar Ahmed has issued strict instructions now to the traffic cops regarding prosecuting vehicles. He has directed the traffic policemen to ensure that vehicles carrying Applied For (A/F) or temporary registration numbers do not go scot-free and are prosecuted. These vehicles can even be impounded as per law.

In view of the forthcoming Independence Day activities and ceremonies, the Delhi Traffic Police will now be focusing its attention against triple riding on two wheelers, over speeding by all types of vehicles and checking of documents of the vehicles.

He has also directed the traffic cops to check the authenticity of the labels put on the windscreens or the body of the vehicles. It has been found that many vehicles have been displaying various types of stickers on their vehicles e.g. Doctors, Lawyers, Journalists, Police etc to communicate to various sections of society, including the Traffic policemen that these people are above law. Those found misusing any sticker will be dealt with under the various provisions of law and handed over to local police, if need be for initiating legal action.

So dear Delhiites be on your guard!

It’s just a matter of one more day and traffic woes will be over. Tomorrow (Friday) will be the last day and then you don’t have to bother much about Kanwariyas. You can drive around freely in Delhi. Otherwise they are such a terror in the name of religion. It looks to me more of a fashion statement rather then religious sentiments. Otherwise one won’t see hockey sticks in the hands of people accompanying Kanwariyas managing traffic. At least in Delhi the cops should check them. Those people look more of goons rather than devotees. I saw one of those self-proclaimed saffron-clad minders on the road on Tuesday in south Delhi.

There was only one car, which was carrying the holy water and rest of the guys were dancing ahead. They already had occupied one whole lane. These guys carrying hockey sticks and hurling it at vehicles plying on the road occupied the other lane. They were walking on the main road as if they were the kings of the road and didn‘t even hesitate banging the sticks to the buses, which came close to the group. Because of them only one lane was left for vehicles to ply. And considering it was happening during evening peak hours, there was utmost chaos on the road. Obviously cops were watching the melee as mute spectators as they also cannot raise a finger at them.

I think cops should learn some lessons from this and draft a proper code of conduct for these Kanwariyas. And next year when they have meeting with Kanwar association of Delhi for the arrangement, they should give it to the organisers and ask them to ensure discipline on roads. This is the only way out otherwise we Delhiites will only remain mute spectators to this barbaric attitude on Delhi roads.

Meanwhile, action on tinted glasses continues. According to Delhi Traffic Police’s press release, “Dark film used by motorist on the window screen and windowpanes of their vehicles have remained the focus of Delhi Traffic Police for the last two weeks. Over 9,535 motorists have been prosecuted out of which films of more than 5,885 have been removed during the last week alone. So far about 37,399 motorists have been prosecuted this year for using dark films on their vehicles.

Rajinder Arora mailed me telling the pathetic state of affairs at Janpath Lane. He says,“As a regular reader of TODAY, I have often read your column about the pathetic state of traffic in our city and equally callous and indifferent attitude of motorists and vehicle owners - large number of whom happen to be educated people. Through your column I wish you drew the attention of authorities towards a hellhole called the entry to Janpath Lane. You may not be very familiar with this not-so-famous road/lane that runs parallel to main Janpath from behind the Indian Oil Building right up to the end of Janpath Hotel (rear exit). The point of entry I am mentioning here is from next to the Yatri Niwas Hotel on Ashok Road roundabout.

“As you enter Janpath Lane at this point, on your left are six shops of the local shopping centre, facing which is a Mother Dairy booth, next to which is (so claimed) authorised taxi stand of yellow top taxis. This is a point of entry for all those working at Hotel Asian International, Janpath Hotel, Thapar House, part of Kerala House and almost entire work force of Imperial Hotel.

“This entry point has become a free parking lot for all the DLY and DLZ cars of the surrounding areas, Auto's whose drivers find it an easy niche to have their cuppa, white ambassador cars of the various officials of government of India - whose drivers come here for their brunch or a nap. Unmindful of the vehicles that have to cross this stretch - all these vehicles park themselves on both sides virtually leaving just enough space for one car to pass at a time. The trucks of cold-drink companies, bottled water dispensers and tempo loads of vegetables and groceries throw in their lot too, to add up to the chaos.

“The shops here have extended their wares on the road upto 6-8 feet; while the pan wallah, the barber, the newspaper stand, the ice cream cart and the even a roadside bone doctor-cum-masseur have appropriated their spaces. On the other side where the Lane meets the Ashok Road, a row of Auto Rickshaws comfortably park themselves at the bend making that turning very dangerous and a blocking point.

“This Lane, at its farthest end would not be more than 500 meters from the head-quarters of NDMC and the main Parliament Police Station and one wonders - do all these officers who pass this place day-after-day go by here blind-folded. The worst is when one or more PCR vehicles also come in and park themselves here for tea break; as if throwing their weight with the rogues around.

“P.S. The other claim-to-fame this lane has is that of being the vantage point from where an old-lady was witness to the barbaric Tandoor Kand.”

It’s a multi-layered problem. Since it’s a service lane so hotel guys will use it. You can’t stop them. Then the taxi drivers find a nice haven to park their vehicles, as there is no halting space for them. The halt and go policy will only come into force once the new taxi policy comes in. Since there are so many vehicles parked on that lane, tea shops, etc are doing a brisk business. Now role of local cops and NDMC officials, too come into play here. They get their cut from these small shops on pavements. As far as traffic police is concerned, they are too busy managing the traffic of the main arterial roads of Connaught Place. Vehicle population has grown by leaps and bounds; I don’t know what will happen in the next six years. It will only make the condition worse. The only thing that we can do is adjust to the conditions. To tell you frankly I have to sometimes struggle to enter my own house. There’s an office in my basement and the bikes and scooters of those employees block are parked in such a way that they block the whole entry. One can do little about them. I can agree that one struggles to find a parking space for cars, but for bikes, there is ample of space provided around my lane. But it’s a matter of convenience for these people and they want their bikes parked right in front of the gate. It’s just the matter of proper civic sense, but some ain’t have them.

I received a mail from Subhash Mehta who says, “I retired as an engineer from Delhi Vidyut Board in the year 2001after about 35 years of service. I am 64 years old now. I have been driving two wheelers since 1989 in Delhi. I had a Delhi driving licence, which was issued to me by Transport Authority, Rajpur Road in the year 1989. I lost my driving licence somewhere and I forgot to retain copy of the same. I tried my level best to get it traced from the Transport Authority office but all in vain. Then I decided to apply afresh for the licence. When I went to get a Learner’s licence from Ashok Vihar Transport Authority office they refused to issue me the same on medical grounds since I had a little limp in my right leg. I asked for the way I could get my driving licence but they flatly refused to guide even. Can you help me for issue of a driving licence?”

Well, I understand your situation but I am extremely helpless. Until and unless you get a medical certificate clearance you won’t be given a fresh licence. And Delhi is very strict with issuing driving licenses. I know lot of people can drive with some medical deformities but rules are rules and cannot be broken.

Few days back I mentioned in my column SM Hussain’s letter regarding the rotary at Mehrauli-Badarpur road, which has now been converted into a traffic intersection. Hussain had said that the traffic police haven’t installed the traffic signals. I received a reply from Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Qamar Ahmed saying, “This rotary on Mehrauli - Badarpur Road was converted into an intersection on the initiative of Delhi Traffic Police. The process of installation of a traffic signal at this intersection is also on.” I hope the signals are installed soon so as to give some relief to traffic there.